Bartholomeusnacht, 1572 1650 - 1695

Gaspar Bouttats's etching "Bartholomeusnacht, 1572" is a graphic depiction of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre of 1572. This violent event was a pivotal moment in the French Wars of Religion. The detailed etching shows the brutal scene of the massacre, with Huguenot (French Protestant) victims being killed and thrown from buildings, while soldiers stand nearby. The scene is set in Paris, under a night sky and within a narrow, arched alleyway. The work's powerful imagery brings the brutality of the event into sharp focus. The etching is an example of 17th-century historical illustration and serves as a poignant reminder of the religious strife that plagued France during this era.