The Massacre of the Innocents
1650
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1650
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This print shows a chaotic scene packed with struggling figures. Soldiers in armor drag and stab children and adults, while some people cling to each other in fear. The background has a distant battle with more violence, and the whole image is dark and dramatic. Bodies are twisted in pain, and the lines are sharp, almost like a sketch gone wild. The title at the bottom says it’s *The Massacre of the Innocents*, which hints this is a violent story from history or religion. The artist used deep shadows and bold contrasts to make the scene feel urgent. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how light and dark create drama.
