Gospel in Art: Feast of The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Massacre of the Innocents, by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1567 © Royal collection, Windsor Castle, Acquired by Charles II from William Frizell in 1662C

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 28 December 2024
Matthew 2:13-18

Now when the wise men had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.' And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Out of Egypt I called my son.'

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

'A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children;

she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.

Reflection on the painting

This morning's gospel presents King Herod as a ruler so consumed by the desire to protect his power that he resorts to the horrific act of targeting innocent children. History is marked by many such leaders, even in recent times, who have shown a willingness to sacrifice the lives of others to secure their own position. Herod's style of leadership starkly contrasts with the kingship that Jesus embodies and proclaims-the kingship of God. This divine kingship is not rooted in domination or fear but is revealed through humility, compassion, and the selfless service of others.

Just days after celebrating the birth of a child, today's feast brings us to a sombre moment in Matthew's gospel, recounting the death of innocent children. The darkness in this passage stems from Herod the Great, whose actions lead to the loss of young lives and force the Holy Family to flee to Egypt as refugees. This story resonates with our world today, where power is still often wielded in ways that bring suffering to the innocent, including children. We are reminded of the countless individuals who are displaced, becoming refugees, due to the cruelty and oppression of those in authority.

Our painting by Pieter Breughel the Elder, circa 1565, set the Massacre of the Innocents within the context of 16th-century Flanders. Bruegel sets the atrocity in a Flemish village, with soldiers dressed in the distinctive uniforms of Spanish troops and their German mercenaries, reflecting the harsh realities of his time under Habsburg rule. The landscape is blanketed in snow, drawing from the artist's experience of the brutal winter of 1564-65, with icicles hanging from rooftops and frozen ponds setting a chilling backdrop. This wintry setting underscores the emotional coldness and brutality of the event, amplifying its impact.

The painting's history is as layered as its narrative. After being acquired by Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph II, its more harrowing details, such as the slaughtered infants, were painted over with images of livestock, bundles, or food, transforming it into a scene of plunder rather than massacre. Shadows of the original figures are still visible beneath these later alterations. Bruegel's masterful storytelling unfolds across the composition, with episodes of grief, violence, and resistance requiring close observation. For example, a grieving mother cradles her baby in the snow (altered to a bundle), soldiers stab livestock (once babies), and a father attempts a futile escape. This truly is an unsettling masterpiece.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-2-13-18-2024/