Carlo Pellicani, after Carlo Buzzi
The Sacrifice of Abel

1807-13
Marble
West façade, Milan Cathedral

This panel illustrates Genesis 4:4, "Abel also offered of the firstlings of his flock, and of their fat: and the Lord had respect to Abel, and to his offerings." God's "respect" is here indicated by the light rays falling upon Abel.

On the left is the altar with one of the burning "firstlings." It is just a pile of stones, perhaps in consideration of the injunction God gave to Moses in Exodus 20:25, "And if thou make an altar of stone unto me, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones: for if thou lift up a tool upon it, it shall be defiled."

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Photographed at the cathedral by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.