Charger with the Massacre of the Innocents c. 1527 - 1530

Francesco Xanto Avelli's "Charger with the Massacre of the Innocents" (c. 1527-1530) is a maiolica plate depicting the biblical scene of Herod's order to kill all male infants in Bethlehem. The plate's vivid imagery, featuring soldiers and fleeing mothers with children, is a striking reminder of this tragic event. Avelli, an Italian maiolica painter from the late Renaissance, skillfully captures the chaos and desperation of the massacre, using bold colors and meticulous detail. The plate is a significant example of the artist's mastery of maiolica techniques, and its subject matter reflects the profound religious influence on art of the time.