Pieter Bruegel the Elder ca. 1520 – 1569

Massacre of the Innocents - detail

This work is linked to Matthew 2:16

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Detail of this work. It is clear that the soldiers resemble the 16th century Spanish troops - familiar looks for Bruegel.

In this version no children are killed, only animals such as geese and pigs. That is the result of changes ordered by emperor Rudolph II around 1660.

A version in Vienna, now thought to be made by Bruegel's son Pieter, does display children.

Massacre in Vienna