Massacre of the Innocents 16th-17th century

Curator: This is Aegidius Sadeler II's "Massacre of the Innocents." Gosh, it's a stark scene, isn't it? All that churning chaos, the sheer panic etched into every figure...makes you wonder about the cost of power, doesn't it? Editor: It definitely evokes a visceral reaction. It's hard to look away from the violence. I'm curious, what do you see as the key message or emotion Sadeler was trying to convey here? Curator: Well, beyond the obvious horror, I see a reflection on human cruelty, perhaps even a commentary on the abuse of authority. The vulnerability of the innocents is stark, right? And the etchings create an almost frenzied atmosphere, amplifying the sense of terror. Does it speak to you in that way too? Editor: Absolutely. The frenzied atmosphere is palpable. Thanks, that's given me a lot to think about. Curator: My pleasure. Art like this is meant to stir us, to make us question. I think Sadeler succeeded.