The Massacre of the Innocents 1730 - 1750

Pietro Monaco's etching "The Massacre of the Innocents" (1730-1750) depicts a scene of chaos and bloodshed as Roman soldiers murder innocent babies in Bethlehem. This biblical story, recounted in the Gospel of Matthew, is a chilling reminder of Herod's cruelty and the vulnerability of the innocent. Monaco's detailed etching, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures the fear and desperation of the mothers as they attempt to shield their children from the onslaught. The composition is dominated by a sense of urgency and despair, making this etching a powerful and evocative portrayal of a tragic historical event.