Massacre of the Innocents 1612

Curator: Nicolaes de Bruyn's "Massacre of the Innocents" is a large engraving, depicting a biblical scene of infanticide. Editor: It's intense. The swirling composition and dramatic use of light and shadow immediately convey chaos and brutality. Curator: Absolutely. It’s essential to recognize how this reflects the political and religious turmoil of the era, especially given de Bruyn's likely Protestant sympathies and the Eighty Years' War context. Editor: I'm struck by the detail in the figures. You can almost feel the weight of the copperplate, the labor involved in its creation. Curator: Yes, and consider how such prints facilitated the spread of anti-establishment narratives. The gendered aspect is also stark – the violence inflicted upon mothers and children. Editor: Viewing it this way helps to recognize the material and the message as inextricably linked. A powerful commentary on suffering, for sure. Curator: Indeed. It highlights the intersection of personal tragedy and political conflict, making it profoundly relevant. Editor: I agree. It definitely shifts my understanding of the piece.