Kindermoord te Betlehem 1668 - 1693

This print, "Kindermoord te Betlehem", uses line, composition and texture to convey an emotionally charged narrative. Rendered by an anonymous artist, the scene depicts infanticide with dynamic, swirling energy, evoking chaos and terror through contrasting light and shadow. The composition is divided into distinct spatial zones, each contributing to the overall impact. On the left, angels hover above classical ruins, an eerie detachment from the carnage below. To the right, a classical building provides an architectural backdrop to the massacre. This juxtaposition of order and chaos challenges traditional aesthetic values, destabilising the viewer’s expectations. The dense concentration of figures and sharp lines form a complex web, drawing the viewer into the violent scene. Through the semiotic interplay of architectural forms, celestial beings, and brutal acts, the print becomes a powerful visual statement on human cruelty and divine indifference. The formal qualities of the artwork, therefore, serve not only aesthetic purposes but also engage with broader historical and philosophical discourses.