Artwork
Massacre of the Innocents
Massacre of the Innocents is an ink print by the Baroque artist Simon Fokke. It dates from 1715 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left in plate: B.Picart inv.; lower right in plate: S.Fokke del et Sculp.; across bottom in plate: Hier Sneuveld Bethlems Broost op een na; Reeds ontvlucht! / Maar Sterft daar na, en Red de uit haar gezucht; aBv//in graphite: (2 line inscription, undeciphered)
About this work
Overview
Massacre of the Innocents is a 1715 engraving on laid paper by Simon Fokke, depicting a dramatic and chaotic scene of violence.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving illustrates a biblical event, conveying intense emotional tension through figures in dynamic poses, including those fleeing, fallen, and deceased, set against a backdrop of a cityscape with a tower under a turbulent sky.
Technique & Style
Fokke employed fine lines to achieve deep shadows and textured details, particularly in clothing and facial expressions, creating a near three-dimensional effect through meticulous linework.
History & Provenance
Created in 1715, specific details about the engraving's history and ownership prior to its current location are not provided in the available information.
Context
The work is rooted in 18th-century European artistic traditions of illustrating biblical themes through detailed and emotionally charged prints.
Legacy
While the engraving demonstrates Fokke's skill in capturing drama and depth through engraving techniques, its broader impact or influence on subsequent artistic movements is not highlighted in the given context.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
