The Massacre of the Innocents with the Flight into Egypt, from the series The Life of the Virgin 1495 - 1505

Israhel van Meckenem's "The Massacre of the Innocents with the Flight into Egypt" from his "Life of the Virgin" series, created between 1495 and 1505, is a powerful example of 15th-century German engraving. This print depicts the biblical story of Herod's order to kill all male infants in Bethlehem, contrasting the brutality of the massacre with the flight of Mary and Joseph into Egypt. The detailed composition, with its use of perspective and intricate figures, creates a sense of both chaos and sorrow. This impactful image reflects the anxieties and piety of the time, emphasizing the importance of faith in the face of violence and suffering. The print is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.