Kindermoord te Betlehem 1579 - 1582

"Kindermoord te Betlehem" (The Massacre of the Innocents) is an etching by Johann Sadeler I, created between 1579 and 1582. This powerful print depicts the biblical story of Herod’s order to kill all male infants under two years old in Bethlehem, as described in the Gospel of Matthew. The scene is chaotic, with soldiers wielding swords and women desperately protecting their children. The work's graphic depiction of violence and the vulnerability of the innocent is particularly impactful, making it a striking example of the use of art to communicate a strong religious and moral message. This print is currently in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.