Massacre of the Innocents

c. 1490/1500

Israhel van Meckenem

Associated Names
Israhel van Meckenem

Artist, German, c. 1445 - 1503

Hans Holbein the Elder

Artist After, German, c. 1465 - 1524

This is a drawing of a historic scene with many figures involved in a dramatic event with infants. The drawing shows a ruler or king seated on a throne, observing chaos and turmoil. Adult figures are standing and moving around, some holding infants. The lower part of the composition shows several infants in different positions. Women appear to be pleading or protecting other infants. In the background, there are horses and additional figures. The drawing is highly detailed with intricate linework typical of engravings or etchings. The atmosphere is tense, capturing a moment of historical or biblical significance.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.109

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Lehrs, Vol. 9, p.066, no. 58, State only

  • Series Title

    The Life of the Virgin [Lehrs 50-61]

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(M. Knoedler & Co., New York); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], 1930; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1966

  • Masters of Etching and Engraving from the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection, Lakeview Center for the Arts and Sciences, Peoria, IL, 1966, no. 11.

1967

  • Fifteenth Century Engravings of Northern Europe from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., NGA, 1967-1968, no. 224, repro.

Bibliography

1908

  • Lehrs, Max. Geschichte und kritischer Katalog des deutschen, niederlandischen und franzosischen Kupferstichs im XV. Jahrhundert. 9 vols. and 1 plate vol. Vienna: Gesellschaft fur vervielfaltigende Kunst, 1908-1934.

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. German engravings, etchings and woodcuts ca. 1400-1700. 8 vols. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger, 1954-1868. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberge

1967

  • Shestack, Alan. Fifteenth Century Engravings of Northern Europe from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.. Exh. cat. Washington: National Gallery of Art, 1967: no. 224.

Wikidata ID

Q64958471

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