Moord in de Bartholomeüsnacht, 1572 c. 1572 - 1573

Curator: Here we have a print titled, “Massacre of St. Bartholomew’s Night, 1572” made by Frans Hogenberg around 1572-1573, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It's overwhelmingly busy; a flurry of miniature activity contained within this very precise engraving. Curator: Indeed, it's a dense cityscape populated by figures engaged in violent acts, typical of Northern Renaissance mannerism. Hogenberg meticulously renders a horrific event from the French Wars of Religion: the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. It dramatically showcases the era's religious conflicts. Editor: The perspective seems skewed, almost naive, yet the details within each plane are sharply defined. Note how Hogenberg contrasts architectural precision with the chaotic forms of violence playing out in the streets. There's a deliberate flatness to the image, resisting depth for the sake of conveying narrative. Curator: The artist uses this style to emphasize the widespread nature of the massacre. If you observe the top right window you see the murder of Admiral Coligny in his bed chamber, incited by Catherine de Medici. Editor: The composition itself is divided into segments. The scene creates a fragmented visual experience mirroring the shattering of social order and communal bonds. Look at the buildings—they provide the scaffolding for this terrible episode. Curator: And he includes inscriptions below the main image to interpret the meaning. These detailed inscriptions were likely used to proliferate the graphic history through public audiences. Editor: Absolutely, and this inscription gives us an insight into what the intended emotional response was. The interplay of line and tone directs the viewer’s gaze. This directs the eye between the various scenes to drive a narrative progression. Curator: This engraving provided crucial information for those removed from the events unfolding in Paris. Through its visual depictions it allowed for an international community to share in a collective sense of outrage at what unfolded. Editor: Considering the visual tension in this piece has certainly broadened my perspective, viewing an act of mass violence is certainly an unusual experience. Curator: Likewise. Delving into the historical narrative gives an entirely new dimension to its artistic purpose and cultural implications.