Jeffrey Epstein’s interest in ‘Massacre of the Innocents’ painting sparks fresh online frenzy

Freshly released documents from the US Justice Department have once again thrust Jeffrey Epstein into the spotlight — this time over his interest in a dramatic 16th-century biblical painting titled Massacre of the Innocents.

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The files reveal that the late convicted sex offender had expressed interest in commissioning a large-scale copy of the artwork for his New Mexico estate, Zorro Ranch. The reference to the painting — and particularly an email describing the scene as one “where they are killing babies” — has triggered intense reactions online, with some users calling it “sick symbolism.”

According to the email exchanges made public, an associate wrote:

“Jeffrey is asking if you can FedEx the painting he had made of the Massacre of the Innocents to the ranch. It’s the large 9’x9′ canvas… where they are killing babies.”

Another email from his assistant Sarah Kellen asked Epstein whether he wished to proceed with the purchase, noting that the 9-foot by 9-foot 5-inch reproduction was priced at $1,999.

What is ‘Massacre of the Innocents’?

The original Massacre of the Innocents was painted in 1591 by Dutch Golden Age artist Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem. The dramatic canvas depicts the biblical episode from the Gospel of Matthew in which King Herod orders the killing of all male infants in Bethlehem, fearing the prophecy of a newborn “King of the Jews.”

The theme was widely explored by Old Masters, including Peter Paul Rubens, whose own version remains among the most famous interpretations of the scene.

Today, van Haarlem’s original work is part of the collection of the Mauritshuis in The Hague and is currently on long-term loan to the Franz Hals Museum.

Epstein reportedly sought a reproduction from Ocean’s Bridge Group, a company known for selling oil painting replicas, and intended to display it at his Zorro Ranch estate.

Why the controversy erupted

While the painting itself is a centuries-old biblical subject common in European art history, the phrasing used in the email — “where they are killing babies” — has reignited online speculation tied to longstanding conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein.

Some social media users have linked the artwork to previously circulated and unverified claims involving ritualistic abuse and cannibalism. However, it is important to note that Epstein was never charged with or tried for crimes related to such allegations. The available legal record focuses on sex trafficking and abuse of minors.

Still, the renewed scrutiny underscores how every detail connected to Epstein continues to attract public fascination and suspicion, especially in light of the numerous women who have accused him of sexual abuse at properties including Zorro Ranch.

New Mexico authorities have since approved the creation of a “truth commission” to examine abuse allegations tied to the ranch, adding another layer to the ongoing examination of Epstein’s legacy.

Whether the painting request reflects morbid artistic taste or something more symbolic remains a matter of interpretation — but in the charged atmosphere surrounding Epstein’s past, even a centuries-old masterpiece can become the center of modern controversy.