Guido Reni's The Slaughter of the Innocents captures the raw terror and heartbreak of a biblical tragedy with masterful Baroque drama. This close detail from the larger composition highlights the emotional intensity that defines Reni's work—anguished expressions, sweeping gestures, and deeply humanized figures. The use of chiaroscuro emphasizes the urgency and fear in the mother’s face as she clutches her child. Reni, a leading figure of the Bolognese school, channels the influence of Caravaggio’s realism but with a softer, more lyrical touch that draws viewers into the emotional heart of the scene.