The painting is based on the biblical episode of the
Massacre of the Innocents, described in the
Gospel of Matthew. The work shows a series of episodes at the same time but is classically composed with each element carefully mirrored by an answering one.
Do you not see that while the bloody/ throng of children you revive, new death you them give?/ Gentle craftsman know/ even in cruelty, you know well,/ when a tragic event can be also a dear sight,/ and often horror goes with delight. In
The World as Will and Representation,
Schopenhauer wrote that Reni made a blunder in this painting by depicting figures crying out. Because painting is a mute art, Schopenhauer believed the silent portrayal of shrieking to be ludicrous, and judged that "...this great artist made the mistake of painting six shrieking, wide-open, gaping mouths." ==References and sources==