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The Massacre of the Innocents
Charles Le Brunmid-1660s
Dulwich Picture Gallery
London, United Kingdom
"The subject is from Matthew II, 16-18: having learnt from the wise men of the birth in Bethlehem of the King of the Jews, Herod ordered that the young children of the city be put to death.
The picture was begun in 1647, or shortly after, but was left unfinished probably until the mid-1660s, when it was completed for Gédéon du Metz, keeper of the Royal Treasury."
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Details
- Title: The Massacre of the Innocents
- Creator Lifespan: 1619 - 1690
- Date: mid-1660s
- Physical Dimensions: w1874 x h1330 cm
- Type: Painting
- Medium: Oil
- Work Notes: Engraving, Le Noir, c ?1716 and Bertaux, both while in the Orléans collection.
- Work Nationality: French
- Support: Canvas
- Provenance: M. Du Metz, Keeper of the Royal Treasury, for whom completed bef. 1734; Paris, Louis-Philippe, Duc d' Orleans, bef. 1734; to England with the Orleans coll., 1798 and bt by Desenfans, prob. 1802-4; London, Noel Desenfans, 1804-1807: 1804 Insurance List, no. 80; London, Sir Francis Bourgeois, 1807-1811; Bourgeois Bequest, 1811.
- Further Information: Louis IV declared Charles Le Brun to be ‘the greatest French artist of all time.’ He was highly influenced by Poussin, with whom he worked with in Rome, and excelled at history and battle scenes.
- Artist: Le Brun, Charles
- Acquisition Method: Bourgeois, Sir Peter Francis (Bequest, 1811)
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