Kindermoord te Betlehem 1715

Bernard Picart created this print, "Massacre of the Innocents," around the turn of the 18th century. The composition is chaotic, a jumble of bodies filling the space, designed to overwhelm the viewer with horror. The structured lines of classical architecture and the rigid geometry of the fortress contrast sharply with the organic, contorted forms of the figures. This juxtaposition highlights a central theme: the imposition of cold, rational power upon human suffering. The architecture, usually a symbol of order, here serves as a backdrop to extreme violence, suggesting that systems of power can enable terrible acts. Picart uses line and form not just to depict a historical event but to question the foundations of authority and morality. The disarray challenges any fixed meaning, inviting continuous reflection.