The Massacre of the Innocents with the Flight into Egypt, from "The Life of the Virgin"
Israhel a practicing goldsmith, was also one of the most prolific and innovative fifteen-century masters of the related art of engraving. The Massacre of the innocents belongs to Van Meckenem's series of twelve prints depicting The Life of the Virgin. A gory scene takes place in the foreground in which the male children are run through with swords all around King Herod who is seated on a throne with a smile on his face. Meanwhile, the window in the upper right shows Joseph leading away the Virgin Mary and the Christ child. The series relates to paintings by the elder Hans Holbein, but it is likely that Van Meckenem contributed some of the lively detail to the scene.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Massacre of the Innocents with the Flight into Egypt, from "The Life of the Virgin"
- Series/Portfolio: The Life of the Virgin
- Artist: Israhel van Meckenem (German, Meckenem ca. 1440/45–1503 Bocholt)
- Artist: After Hans Holbein the Elder (German, ca. 1465–1524)
- Date: ca. 1500
- Medium: Engraving
- Dimensions: Sheet: 10 11/16 × 7 1/4 in. (27.2 × 18.5 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of M. Feltenstein, 2021
- Object Number: 2021.366
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Israhel van Meckenem
Martin Schongauer
ca. 1490–1503
Israhel van Meckenem
Israhel van Meckenem
Israhel van Meckenem
Israhel van Meckenem
Housebook Master
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.