Kindermoord te Betlehem 1637

Crispijn van den Queborn's etching "Kindermoord te Betlehem" (1637) depicts the biblical story of the Massacre of the Innocents, a horrific event that occurred in Bethlehem when King Herod ordered the killing of all male infants under two years old. The detailed engraving portrays a chaotic scene with a multitude of figures. The composition emphasizes the anguish and fear of the mothers as they attempt to shield their children from the soldiers' swords. The artist's use of shadows and strong lines creates a sense of drama and despair. This artwork is part of the collection at the Rijksmuseum.