Copy of Raphael's Massacre of the Innocents

The influential drawing, Copy of Raphael's Massacre of the Innocents, attributed to Raphael, dates from the sixteenth century, likely between 1510 and 1599. This highly dynamic composition is executed with meticulous technical skill, utilizing pen and brown ink, specifically the chemically reactive iron gall ink, combined with expressive applications of brush and brown wash. Further depth and texture are achieved through the heightening of certain areas with traces of lead white, which have since oxidized slightly. Careful framing lines in brown ink define the borders of the composition.

This classification as a drawing indicates its function as a study or a reproductive work based on Raphael’s original design, created around 1511. The original preparatory cartoon was intended for the famous engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi, and this copy reflects the high demand for visual records and studies of important Italian commissions during the High Renaissance. The brutal subject matter, depicting the Massacre of the Innocents, is rendered with dramatic intensity and classical anatomical precision characteristic of the master.

The technique showcased here demonstrates a profound understanding of Raphael’s draftsmanship, translating his powerful narrative into defined line and shadow. As an artifact of Renaissance production, this drawing maintains high cultural significance and resides today in the esteemed collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. High-quality prints of the original design are widely sought after, especially as these influential sixteenth-century masterworks from Italy often enter the public domain, allowing for broader study and appreciation.