Massacre of the Innocents
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Massacre of the Innocents is a 1850 by Francesco Rosaspina, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
The painting depicts a chaotic scene of violence and despair. In the foreground, several women are shown trying to protect their children from armed men who are attacking them. The women are dressed in flowing robes, while the men wear simple tunics. The background features a cloudy sky with a building in the distance. A notable detail is the use of chiaroscuro, a technique that creates a strong contrast between light and dark areas. This adds to the overall sense of drama and tension in the scene. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, explore the technique of chiaroscuro.
Francesco Rosaspina’s 1850 print on paper depicts the Massacre of the Innocents, rendered after Guido Reni’s composition. The work translates Reni’s original scene into print form, preserving its dramatic portrayal of the biblical event.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Francesco Rosaspina (1762–1841) was an artist.
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