The Massacre of the Innocents 1545

Augustin Hirschvogel's "The Massacre of the Innocents" (1545) depicts the biblical event where King Herod ordered the killing of all male infants in Bethlehem. This powerful etching, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures the chaotic and brutal scene with meticulous detail. The composition is divided into two panels, showcasing the frenzy of the massacre, the desperate pleas of mothers, and the soldiers' ruthless actions. Hirschvogel's use of chiaroscuro, with dramatic contrasts of light and dark, enhances the emotional intensity of the scene. This work is a stark reminder of the tragedy and brutality of war.