When we look at the most expensive paintings in history it is little wonder that we find Peter Paul Rubens in the list more than once.  Living in a very religious world during the 1600’s it is also unsurprising that there is at least one religious artwork Rubens has listed.

Sold for $76.7 million in July 2002 “Massacre of the Innocents” would be worth $108.89 million today if only allowing for inflationary price adjustments.  That does not even take into account auction buyers scrambling to acquire the painting should it become available for the high end art market.

Let us take a look at it here:

Dramatic and gruesome isn’t it?

So harrowing the scene that I really must present a more jolly looking artwork for my next blog!  The Scream followed by Massacre of the Innocents requires the interest of Readers who are connoisseurs of art history.

This very theme is inspired from the Gospel of Matthew in which Herod orders the mass infanticide of young Jewish children in an attempt to kill the newborn Jesus of Nazareth.  It is clear throughout history that artists have been inspired by mythology, Biblical stories and fables of old from classical literature.

The quality of realism and artistic genius is always at its height within Peter Paul Rubens works. I cannot imagine anyone surpassing the composition for this scene.  The style is fashionable of its time with its handling of perspective and distant faded glimpses of buildings, landscape and sky.

Yet it is the arrangement of persons in the foreground, their bodily positions and contorted expressions of violent purpose or their victims absolute horror that does not require us to imagine the events.  Body, muscle and skin is replete with empowered motion or helplessness.  Clothing drapery is resplendent in shadow and careful management of the lights direction.

Mid-centre-left a sword is drawn and the victim is being silenced by both of the assailants hands.  The victims efforts at defence quashed.  The image leaves no trace for signs of a reprieve.  There is great sorrow shown far-right of the painting with parents pleading for a change of heart.  An act of violence is fully envisioned upon an infant being swung with great force.

To our natural sensibilities this paintings subject material provokes a sense of extreme injustice and disgust.  Exactly as Rubens purposed in composing his masterpiece of storytelling.

I invite you to read my latest blog over the next few days.