Description
The painting "Slaughter of the Innocents" by the Italian artist Domenico Ghirlandaio is an impressive work depicting the massacre of children in Bethlehem on the orders of King Herod. With an original size of 450 cm, this work is one of Ghirlandaio's largest and shows his ability to create complex and detailed compositions.
Ghirlandaio's artistic style is characterized by its realism and attention to detail. In "Slaughter of the Innocents," this can be seen in the way each figure is carefully outlined and the way details of clothing and buildings are accurately rendered. The use of perspective is also impressive, giving depth and dimension to the scene.
The color in the painting is notable for its drama. Dark and gloomy tones create an atmosphere of horror and sadness, while lighter tones on the figures of children and women create a striking contrast. The use of light and shadow is also impressive, helping to emphasize the violence of the scene.
The story behind the painting is equally interesting. Ghirlandaio was hired to create this work by the Tornabuoni family, one of the most influential families in Florence in the 15th century. The painting was commissioned for the family chapel in the church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, and is believed to have been completed around 1485.
A little-known aspect of the painting is that Ghirlandaio included portraits of members of the Tornabuoni family in the work. For example, the figure of the woman in the lower right corner of the painting is believed to be Lucrezia Tornabuoni, the wife of Piero de' Medici, one of the most important political leaders in Florence at the time.
In short, Domenico Ghirlandaio's "Slaughter of the Innocents" is an impressive work that showcases the artist's ability to create detailed and dramatic compositions. The use of color and perspective, as well as the story behind the painting, make this work one of the most interesting of the Italian Renaissance.