Artwork
Watercolour, copy after the Massacre of the Innocents, Domenico Ghirlandaio in the Tornabuoni Chapel, Santa Maria Novella (Florence)
Watercolour, copy after the Massacre of the Innocents, Domenico Ghirlandaio in the Tornabuoni Chapel, Santa Maria Novella (Florence) is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Domenico Ghirlandaio. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This watercolour painting is a copy of Domenico Ghirlandaio's 'Massacre of the Innocents' from the Tornabuoni Chapel in Florence's Santa Maria Novella. Created by Cesare Mariannecci, it depicts a chaotic and dramatic scene.
Subject & Meaning
The scene shows soldiers killing children amidst fleeing and screaming figures, set against a backdrop of architectural elements including buildings and a Roman arch. The atmosphere is one of intense turmoil and desperation.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the painting features a predominantly brown and grey colour scheme for the architecture, contrasted with the figures' varied attire in colours such as red, blue, and yellow.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by the Arundel Society, the work was later acquired by the National Gallery of London in 1995, although it remained unpublished.
Artist & collection
Artist
Domenico di Tommaso Curradi di Doffo Bigordi (2 June 1448 – 11 January 1494), professionally known as Domenico Ghirlandaio (also spelt as Ghirlandajo), was an Italian Renaissance painter born in Florence.
Copy after the Presentation of the Virgin in the temple, Domenico Ghirlandaio in the Tornabuoni Chapel, Santa Maria Novella (Florence)
Copy after Zacharias writes down the name of his Son, Domenico Ghirlandaio in the Tornabuoni Chapel, Santa Maria Novella (Florence)
Copy after the Punishment of the Rebels ( Destruction of Koran, Dathan and Abirim ), Sandro Botticelli in the Sistine Chapel (Rome)
Copy after The Expulsion of Joachim from the Temple, Domenico Ghirlandaio in the Tornabuoni Chapel, Santa Maria Novella (Florence)
Copy after the painting The Trials of Moses (Moses at the Well) by Sandro Botticelli in the Sistine Chapel (Rome)
Copy after The Angel Appearing to Zacharias, Domenico Ghirlandaio in the Tornabuoni Chapel, Santa Maria Novella (Florence)
Copy after the Preaching of St. John the Baptist, Domenico Ghirlandaio in the Tornabuoni Chapel, Santa Maria Novella (Florence)
Copy after the Death of St Francis, Domenico Ghirlandaio in the Sassetti Chapel, Chiesa di Santa Trinita (Florence)
Copy after Raphael’s fresco representing the ‘Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple’ in the Stanza di Eliodoro (Vatican Palace, Rome, 1512-14), 1866.
Copy after Calling of the Apostoles, Domenico Ghirlandaio in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican (Rome)
The Massacre of the Innocents (Without the Fir Tree)