Massacre of the Innocents
1715
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1715
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Massacre of the Innocents is a 1715 ink by Simon Fokke, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a chaotic scene with a group of people in dramatic poses. Some are running, others are lying on the ground, and a few appear to be dead. In the background, there’s a city with tall buildings and a tower, while the sky looks stormy. The figures are dressed in flowing robes, and the whole scene feels tense and emotional. The artist used fine lines to create deep shadows and texture, especially in the clothing and faces. This technique makes the scene feel almost three-dimensional, even though it’s just ink on paper. If you like this style, look up engraving to see how artists use lines to build depth.
