Massacre of the Innocents

engraving by Raimondi

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June 30, 2026

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The "Massacre of the Innocents" is a famous engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi, created around 1510-1513. This work is renowned for its skillful execution and its dissemination of Raphael's style. Raimondi's engraving depicts the biblical event where King Herod ordered the killing of all young children in Bethlehem in an attempt to murder the infant Jesus. The Feast of the Holy Innocents, observed on December 28th, commemorates this event. Raimondi's engraving is considered one of his best works, showcasing his mastery of the engraving technique, particularly in his use of line and shading to convey form and texture.123

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Marcantonio Raimondi
Raimondi’s best engravings, such as Massacre of the Innocents, were done during the first years after he had attached himself to Raphael. In these he retains Raphael’s idealized figures, but, in the parts where he was left to himself (the rounding and shading, the background and landscape), he managed his…
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Raimondi’s best engravings, such as Massacre of the Innocents, were done during the first years after he had attached himself to Raphael. In these he retains Raphael’s idealized figures, but, in the parts where he was left to himself (the rounding and shading, the background and landscape), he managed his…
Read More