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La strage degli Innocenti Siena
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Artist: Matteo di Giovanni
Year: 1482
Current location: Complesso museale di Santa Maria della Scala
Original location: Chiesa di Sant'Agostino
DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION
The Massacre of the Innocents, painted by Matteo di Giovanni in 1482 for the church of Sant'Agostino, arrived at Santa Maria della Scala in 2006, placed in the Promenade, during a temporary exhibition dedicated to the painter.
The work is one of four depictions of the same theme created by the artist over the course of a decade: the panel at the Capodimonte Museum in Naples dated 1468, the cartoon for the floor of Siena Cathedral from 1481, the work for the church of Sant'Agostino, and the one created for the Basilica dei Servi in 1491.
This work references the dramatic events of 1480 in Otranto, namely the conquest of the city by the Turks and the subsequent massacre of its citizens.
The panel appears to be unique compared to the others created, due to its greater drama and the features of Herod, depicted with Arab features and dressed as a sultan, and the Arab-like features of the soldiers.
La strage degli Innocenti.jpeg)