Onderdeel van de kindermoord van Bethlehem 1868

Eugène Lacomblé created this sculptural fragment, titled "Part of the Massacre of the Innocents of Bethlehem," out of plaster. It depicts a mother fleeing with her child and is based on the biblical story where King Herod ordered the execution of all young male children in Bethlehem in an attempt to kill Jesus. In the 19th century, the cultural and political landscape of Europe was shaped by rising nationalism and religious sentiment. Lacomblé, working within this context, engages with themes of motherhood, sacrifice, and historical trauma. The incomplete form of the sculpture—missing arms and feet— poignantly underscores the violence and disruption of the biblical event. The emotional resonance of the artwork is palpable, inviting reflection on the universal themes of suffering and the protection of the vulnerable, as the artwork gives a raw and immediate emotional connection to the fear and desperation of a mother's flight. The sculpture serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of historical events on the human psyche and lived experiences.