Epstein bought replica of lugubrious Haarlem artwork: ‘Didn’t understand message’
NOS News•
The deceased American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein ordered a replica of the artwork in 2011 Of infanticide at Bethlehem by Cornelis van Haarlem. This is evident from the recently released Epstein files. The Frans Hals Museum, where the original hangs, calls Epstein’s purchase “completely ironic”.
The painting from 1591 shows a Biblical scene in which soldiers, commissioned by King Herod, cruelly murder boys aged two years and younger.
Email traffic shows that Epstein asked a company to make a replica of the work for $2,000. He wanted to hang the artwork, measuring almost 3 by 3 meters, in the hall of one of his homes.
An email from the Epstein files about ‘The Massacre of the Innocents’, as the work is called in English:
Employees of the Frans Hals Museum are surprised that the work has turned up in the Epstein files. “It is completely ironic that someone as cruel as Epstein wanted such a painting, which was actually a warning against cruelty,” said Christi Klinkert, senior curator of ancient art. NH News.
The Haarlem painter made the work on behalf of the city council. The scene was supposed to serve as a warning. “Be a fair and just prince, not a cruel tyrant,” Klinkert explains.
According to the curator, the work still impresses visitors. “It is mainly the fear and desperation of the mothers and children who are in pain that often affects people most.”
Contact
The Frans Hals Museum sells digital versions of the artwork to third parties. It is not clear whether Epstein’s employees contacted the museum in this way.
Klinkert: “A lot of people request images from the museum every day. We have no insight into what people do with them. Usually it is for publications or research, but in this case it could have been for a sex offender. Van Haarlem would in any case be turning in his grave.”
Who appears in Epstein’s documents? You can read about it in this special:
DOCUMENTED REFERENCES
Exploring Documented Records
Public interest in the Epstein case continues not only because of court proceedings and testimonies, but also due to the growing body of documented records that help researchers and readers understand the broader context. Beyond legal files and media reports, some independent projects have organized publicly available data connected to Epstein’s activities.
One example is a structured archive of documented Amazon order records, where purchases are cataloged with dates and product details. While individual items do not prove wrongdoing on their own, examining documented information alongside established facts helps paint a clearer picture of the environment and circumstances surrounding the case.
Browse the structured archive of documented order records
For readers looking to review primary-source style data rather than interpretations, exploring compiled records can provide additional context to the broader discussion.
