# Massacre of the Innocents

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/massacre-of-the-innocents-r704efcdce9f2c2>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [MATTEO di Giovanni](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905>)
- Date: 1451-1500
- Technique: Panel, 240 x 240 cm

## Commentary

Matteo di Giovanni is best known for four monumental compositions of the Massacre of the Innocents, three for Sienese churches and one in inlaid stone for the pavement of the Duomo. In the version in Sant&#39;Agostino, the arches and columns of Herod&#39;s palace suggest that the artist had visited Rome. He has left no foreground space and every inch of Herod&#39;s hall is occupied by screaming mothers, dead or dying babies, and bloodthirsty soldiers. The marble pavement is covered by infant corpses. Impassive courtiers flank Herod&#39;s throne, while the gloating king is portrayed as a monster: one hand is outstretched to order the butchery; the other, like a claw, clutches the marble sphinx on the arm of his throne.

## Related artworks

- [Annunciation with Saints](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/annunciation-with-saints-rd0e4e472036617>)
- [Assumption of the Virgin](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/assumption-of-the-virgin-r2a2ce78b5878be>)
- [Assumption of the Virgin](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/assumption-of-the-virgin-rf159720ec6897b>)
- [Calling of Sts Peter and Andrew](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/calling-of-sts-peter-and-andrew-rfe585fef119aef>)
- [Madonna and Child with Angels and Cherubim](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/madonna-and-child-with-angels-and-cherubim-re7609b34878596>)
- [Madonna and Child with Six Saints](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/madonna-and-child-with-six-saints-r01d4c76764241b>)
- [Madonna and Child with Sts Jerome, Catherine of Alexandria, and Angels](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/madonna-and-child-with-sts-jerome-catherine-of-alexandria-and-angels-rbc508fb4a2781b>)
- [Madonna with Child and Two Angels \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/madonna-with-child-and-two-angels-detail-r2fa34947913c9a>)
- [Madonna with Child and Two Angels](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/madonna-with-child-and-two-angels-r9ec3e45ed4e90b>)
- [Madonna with Child and Two Angels](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/madonna-with-child-and-two-angels-rac1488ec462991>)
- [St Bernardino Restoring a Child to Life](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/st-bernardino-restoring-a-child-to-life-rf02e26c9a13d7d>)
- [St Jerome](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/st-jerome-r9877abc0607fa8>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)