# Massacre of the Innocents

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/cornelis-van-haarlem-rf8a6f87ed74448/massacre-of-the-innocents-rb76c4df6b7aeba>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [CORNELIS VAN HAARLEM](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/cornelis-van-haarlem-rf8a6f87ed74448>)
- Date: 1551-1600
- Technique: Oil on canvas, 245 x 358 cm

## Commentary

When Jesus was born and King Herod heard that the infant was the King of the Jews, he ordered that all boy children in Bethlehem under two years of age should be put to death. Meanwhile, however, Mary and Joseph had fled to safety with their baby. The senseless slaughter of the innocents is an example of ruthless tyranny. The painting was probably commissioned on behalf of Prince Maurits, whose task as commander-in-chief of the army was to rid the Netherlands of Spanish tyranny. A second version of this subject was made one year later for the city of Haarlem.

## Related artworks

- [A Fool with Two Women](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/cornelis-van-haarlem-rf8a6f87ed74448/a-fool-with-two-women-r6e2d01d1f22787>)
- [Bathsheba](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/cornelis-van-haarlem-rf8a6f87ed74448/bathsheba-r021b0d787f13eb>)
- [Madonna and Child](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/cornelis-van-haarlem-rf8a6f87ed74448/madonna-and-child-r06e0d24c9daaae>)
- [Massacre of the Innocents \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/cornelis-van-haarlem-rf8a6f87ed74448/massacre-of-the-innocents-detail-re01b60a15c3494>)
- [Massacre of the Innocents](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/cornelis-van-haarlem-rf8a6f87ed74448/massacre-of-the-innocents-r1a3634724db5e5>)
- [Nymphs Discussing the Petrifying Effects of the Head of Medusa](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/cornelis-van-haarlem-rf8a6f87ed74448/nymphs-discussing-the-petrifying-effects-of-the-head-of-medusa-rcb9f5178c0dfd7>)
- [Temperance](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/cornelis-van-haarlem-rf8a6f87ed74448/temperance-r431710845d8f19>)
- [The Baptism of Christ](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/cornelis-van-haarlem-rf8a6f87ed74448/the-baptism-of-christ-r128b1f90b8149b>)
- [The Baptism of Christ](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/cornelis-van-haarlem-rf8a6f87ed74448/the-baptism-of-christ-r8a0a2d27fd844b>)
- [The Choice Between Young and Old](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/cornelis-van-haarlem-rf8a6f87ed74448/the-choice-between-young-and-old-r4649db5d5df6c5>)
- [The Fall of Man \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/cornelis-van-haarlem-rf8a6f87ed74448/the-fall-of-man-detail-rfdfa582e061b5e>)
- [The Fall of Man](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/cornelis-van-haarlem-rf8a6f87ed74448/the-fall-of-man-r4c8dc1ba127177>)

## Attribution

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