FG FINE ART LTD
Bicci di Lorenzo
Florence, 1373 - 1452
Active as part of the prolific Bicci family workshop, Bicci di Lorenzo’s oeuvre is bursting with a strong coherence and a consistent traditionalist style. Creating a perfect balance between the ideals of the late Trecento and the early fifteenth century genre-like realism, he manages to develop a harmonious conservative approach consistent with the taste of the time.
The Massacre of the Innocents
Tempera on panel, 41 x 13 cm
Provenance
Private collection
This small panel represents the scene of the Bible in which King Herod - shown on the left with his crown - orders the execution of all young male children in and around Bethlehem, in order to guarantee that he would keep his throne despite the prophecy of the Magi announcing the birth of a new King of the Jews (Matthew 2:16-18). Dressed in red and blue robes, King Herod is depicted seated on a throne under a grey architectural structure and he is raising one hand, as to give a command. Soldiers wearing bright robes and carrying large swords are shown slaughtering babies. The corpses of massacred new-borns and young boys are lying on the ground.
Sonia Chiodo attributed this panel to Bicci di Lorenzo. Highly characteristic of the artist’s hand, this Massacre of the Innocents is an interesting addition to the artist’s corpus of works. Active as part of the prolific Bicci family workshop, Bicci di Lorenzo’s oeuvre is bursting with a strong coherence and a consistent traditionalist style.
Acquainted with the work of Gentile da Fabriano and somehow influenced by the taste of the late Gothic Florentine style, Bicci di Lorenzo placed an increased emphasis on the humanity of the depicted figures, representing them with expressive features and lively colours.
