Massacre of the Innocents

1739

John Baptist Jackson, after Jacopo Tintoretto

Associated Names
John Baptist Jackson

Artist, British, 1701 - 1780

Jacopo Tintoretto

Artist After, Venetian, 1518 or 1519 - 1594

This is a drawing depicting a historical massacre. The composition shows a chaotic and dramatic scene filled with intense actions, set in an urban environment. Many human figures are engaged in various poses suggesting violence and despair. In the foreground and central area, figures are intertwined, with some in the act of attacking or defending themselves, while others appear to be lamenting or succumbing. The background contains architectural structures and faint horizon lines. The artwork uses a monochromatic color palette.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    chiaroscuro woodcut from four blocks in buff, gray, and two shades of brown on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    image: 40.6 x 53 cm (16 x 20 7/8 in.)
    sheet: 49 x 65 cm (19 5/16 x 25 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.92.526

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Kainen 1962, no. 18

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Mary Jordan Collection. [1] (Frederick Mulder, London); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased October 20, 1986; Gift to NGA, 2012.
[1] According to the donor's collection list for Jackson woodcuts, a great number came from the Mary Jordan Collection.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1962

  • Kainen, Jacob. John Baptist Jackson; 18th century master of the color woodcut. Washington, 1962: no. 18

Inscriptions

lower center in block: Illustrissimo / et Praeclaro Viro Dno. Dno. / SMART LETHIEULLIER / Eruditae Antiquitatis Studioso / Investigatori, Tabellam hanc / JACOBI ROBUSTI in sui / obsequium D. D. D. J: B: Jackson

Wikidata ID

Q76557100

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