Johnny Morant's painting "Massacre of the Innocents" is a contemporary reinterpretation of the famous Baroque masterpiece created by Peter Paul Rubens in 1610. Rubens' painting is widely considered one of his most powerful works, depicting the same biblical story of King Herod's slaughter of the innocent children of Bethlehem.
In Morant's version, he pays homage to Rubens by adopting some of the same compositional and stylistic techniques, but also infuses his own unique vision into the piece. The colours are bold and vibrant, reminiscent of Rubens' dynamic use of colour, but there is a sense of darkness and chaos that pervades the scene.
The central figures are also like those in Rubens' painting, with a group of mothers and children huddled together, their faces contorted in pain and fear. However, Morant's figures are more abstract, with less emphasis on realistic detail and more on conveying the emotional impact of the scene.
At the centre of the painting, there is a group of huddled figures, which represent the mothers and children who are being brutally attacked by Herod's soldiers. The figures are twisted and contorted, as if in agony, their faces and bodies expressing the terror and pain of the moment. The soldiers, with their weapons raised, loom menacingly over the scene, their faces hidden in shadow, dehumanising them further.
The painting is a powerful indictment of the brutality and senseless violence that is often inflicted upon the innocent in times of war and conflict. It speaks to the pain and suffering of those who are caught up in the chaos of such events, and the sense of loss and despair that can result. Morant's use of colour and composition creates a powerful sense of atmosphere and emotion, drawing the viewer in and forcing them to confront the horror of the scene.
Overall, Morant's reinterpretation of Rubens' "Massacre of the Innocents" is a powerful work that pays tribute to the great master while also making a statement about the ongoing relevance of this tragic event in contemporary society.
