Mazzolino, Lodovico – De kindermoord te Bethlehem, 1510-1530 Rijksmuseum: part 4

The composition is divided into two distinct horizontal registers, creating a stark contrast in tone and action. The upper register presents a scene of apparent authority and deliberation, while the lower depicts chaotic violence.
In the upper section, figures are arranged within an architectural framework resembling a palace or formal reception hall. A central figure, presumably a ruler, sits upon a throne flanked by advisors and attendants. Their expressions appear impassive, almost detached from the unfolding tragedy below. The color palette here is muted, dominated by earth tones and pale blues, contributing to a sense of distance and formality. A soldier stands to the left, holding a flag bearing a crimson emblem; his posture suggests vigilance or perhaps complicity in the events occurring beneath. To the right, another figure gestures towards an open space, possibly indicating the direction from which news or messengers arrive. The landscape visible through arched openings hints at a broader world beyond this enclosed setting.
The lower register explodes with movement and emotional intensity. Here we see a mass of figures engaged in what appears to be a massacre. Soldiers, identifiable by their armor and weaponry, are actively killing infants. Women writhe in anguish, cradling lifeless children or attempting to shield them from the violence. The color scheme shifts dramatically; vibrant reds, yellows, and blues dominate, amplifying the sense of horror and chaos. The artist has employed a dense arrangement of bodies, creating a claustrophobic effect that intensifies the viewers emotional response. Faces are contorted in expressions of grief, terror, and despair. A fallen soldier lies amidst the carnage, his body adding to the overall impression of devastation.
Subtleties within the painting suggest layers of meaning beyond the immediate depiction of violence. The contrast between the detached authority of the upper register and the brutal reality of the lower highlights themes of power, responsibility, and the consequences of tyrannical rule. The impassivity of the figures in the upper section could be interpreted as a commentary on the indifference of those in positions of power to the suffering of others. The inclusion of the landscape in the background might symbolize the broader implications of this event – its impact extending beyond the immediate victims. The flag with the crimson emblem, prominently displayed, raises questions about allegiance and the symbols that legitimize violence. Overall, the work presents a complex meditation on human cruelty and the burden of leadership.