Artwork
Murder of the Innocents
Murder of the Innocents is a print by the Romanticist artist Francesco Bartolozzi. It dates from 1807 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The print 'Murder of the Innocents' is an engraving by Francesco Bartolozzi, created in 1807 in Lisbon. It reproduces a composition by Guido Reni.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a chaotic scene of panic and violence, with a kneeling woman clutching a child amidst screaming figures and soldiers pointing weapons from a balcony above. Cherubs float in the sky, observing the turmoil.
Technique & Style
The engraving features strong contrasts between light and dark, creating tension through chiaroscuro, a technique that uses light and shadow to intensify a scene.
History & Provenance
Bartolozzi produced the print at an advanced age, reportedly 82, although this is inconsistent with his recorded birth year of 1727. It reflects his late-career practice of reproducing earlier artworks through engraving.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francesco Bartolozzi (21 September 1727 – 7 March 1815) was an Italian engraver, whose most productive period was spent in London. He is noted for popularizing the "crayon" method of engraving.
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