Kindermoord te Bethlehem c. 1843

Moritz Steinla etched “Kindermoord te Bethlehem” invoking a historical narrative laden with symbolic weight. The sword held aloft—a stark symbol of power wielded for destruction—immediately captures our attention, an instrument mirroring similar acts of violence across epochs. Consider how this motif of infanticide recurs in art, linking back to ancient myths such as Medea's tragic act. Here, the emotional intensity of the mothers, their desperate gestures of protection, echoes through time, resonating with collective memories of loss and vulnerability. The recurring image of the sword carries with it a psychological charge, tapping into primal fears and anxieties. Over centuries, its representation in art has shifted, yet its power to evoke terror remains. The enduring presence of this symbol, from ancient friezes to modern works, speaks to our relentless grappling with themes of violence and sacrifice. It's a dark thread woven through the tapestry of human expression.