What is going on in the work of art?
Peter Paul Rubens' The Massacre of the Innocents Rubens
My Initial Reaction
When I toured the Art Gallery of Ontario, The Massacre of the Innocents Rubens was the first piece of artwork that provoked a combination of emotions. I was exceptionally intrigued by this piece of art because I saw so much happening within one painting. To the right of the piece, there is the baby being taken away from the woman. To an extext, I believe that this piece elicits certain characteristics in classifying gender roles and levels of authority in the 1600s. I interpret the muscular man as a representation of masculinity and power in the 1600s and the poor woman as weak and helpless to protect her child. I also find this piece exceptionally interesting because Rubens was able to bring out so many emotions within a piece of artwork, through the facial expressions painted of the many characters within the piece. I feel that this piece is alive and truly surreal with amazing three-dimensional effect, emerging a wonderful representation of the lifestyle of their era.
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