Artwork
Massacre of the Innocents
Massacre of the Innocents is a print by Jacob Binck. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Jacob Binck’s 1550 print titled *Massacre of the Innocents* reproduces a composition originally devised by Raphael. The image is executed on paper and follows the visual program of an earlier engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi, which itself was based on Raphael’s design.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts the biblical episode in which soldiers slaughter infants in Bethlehem. Figures in classical dress clash in a turbulent foreground, some shielding children while others wield weapons, set against a cityscape with buildings and a bridge that underscores the narrative’s urban setting.
Technique & Style
Binck employs a strong chiaroscuro, juxtaposing deep shadows with illuminated areas to heighten the sense of drama and spatial depth. The line work mirrors the engraving tradition of the mid‑sixteenth century, emphasizing crisp contours and a densely packed composition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1550, the work reflects the practice of copying and disseminating Raphael’s designs through prints. Binck’s version directly copies Raimondi’s engraving, illustrating the network of artistic transmission that linked Italian masters and Northern European printmakers during the Renaissance.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacob Binck made stark, graphic prints in the early 1500s. His “Massacre of the Innocents” shows soldiers hacking at babies while mothers wail—an early version of a bloody scene later painted by others. The work is raw…
