Massacre of the Innocents
Medium
Pen and brown ink, over black chalk, on ivory laid paper, tipped onto ivory laid paper and green card
Dimensions
39.5 × 29 cm (15 9/16 × 11 7/16 in.)
Classification
pen and ink drawings
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
84823
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Francesco Solimena’s drawing captures the dramatic biblical episode known as the Massacre of the Innocents, in which King Herod orders the slaughter of young children. Rendered in pen and brown ink over black chalk on ivory laid paper, the sheet showcases the artist’s command of dynamic line and expressive gesture. Solimena, a leading figure of the late Baroque period in Naples, frequently explored intense religious narratives, and this work reflects his interest in conveying movement and emotion through vigorous draftsmanship. The technique—combining fluid ink lines with underlying chalk—allowed Solimena to develop complex compositions quickly, a practice common among Baroque artists preparing larger paintings or frescoes. Measuring just under 40 centimeters in height, the drawing’s intimate scale invites close viewing of its swirling figures and architectural details, while its careful mounting on additional sheets speaks to its preservation as a valued study. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Prints and Drawings collection, this sheet offers visitors a glimpse into the creative process behind monumental religious art of the 17th and 18th centuries.
About the Artist
Francesco Solimena · 1657–1747
Comment on works: History; Religious