The artwork titled “The Massacre of the Innocents,” created by Giotto between circa 1311 and circa 1320, is a fresco that exemplifies the Proto Renaissance art movement. This religious painting is located in the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, in Assisi, Italy.
The fresco masterfully captures a poignant biblical scene of tragedy and suffering. The artwork depicts soldiers forcefully seizing infants from their distraught mothers, following the orders of King Herod who is shown giving the decree from a balcony. The composition is densely filled with figures in anguished poses, heightening the emotional intensity of the scene. At the center, chaos reigns as mothers clutch their babies, trying in vain to protect them from the cruel soldiers. The background features a deep blue sky and architectural structures that create a backdrop for the unfolding drama. Giotto’s technique in this fresco displays his innovative use of perspective and emotive representation, marking a significant moment in the evolution of early Renaissance art.
