The Massacre of the Giustiniani at Chios 1715

Francesco Solimena's "The Massacre of the Giustiniani at Chios" (1715) depicts the brutal 16th-century event where Ottoman forces slaughtered the Italian Giustiniani family in Chios. This large-scale Baroque painting, housed in the National Museum of Capodimonte, showcases Solimena's mastery of dramatic composition and expressive detail. The scene is filled with action and emotion, as figures fight, flee, and mourn amidst the chaos. The inclusion of angels in the upper portion of the canvas further emphasizes the tragic nature of the event, suggesting the presence of divine justice. This dramatic, historical work exemplifies the Italian Baroque style with its theatrical lighting, dynamic movement, and emotive storytelling.