![Cornelis van Haarlem - The Massacre of the Innocents [1591] by Gandalf's Gallery](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/9123044475_7df9b0d751.jpg)
Cornelis van Haarlem - The Massacre of the Innocents [1591], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.
The painting depicts the horrific massacre in Bethlehem that was carried out on the orders of the tyrannical King Herod in an attempt to kill the new born Christ child. In a turbulent composition, the callous soldiers of Herod's army seize the helpless infants. Women trying in vain to save their children are thrown roughly to the ground by the soldiers. Cornelis van Haarlem painted this work for Haarlem town council.
[Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem - Oil on canvas, 268 x 257 cm]