Disturbing Artwork Commissioned by Jeffrey Epstein Revealed

Convicted sex offender ordered replica of 'Massacre of the Innocents' painting for his New Mexico ranch

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Files released by the U.S. Department of Justice have revealed that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein commissioned a replica of the 1591 painting 'The Massacre of the Innocents' by Dutch artist Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem. The disturbing biblical scene depicting the killing of infant boys was ordered by Epstein to be displayed at the entrance of his New Mexico ranch, Zorro Ranch.

Why it matters

Epstein's choice of this particular artwork, which depicts the horrific murder of children, is seen as another example of his twisted and disturbing tastes, especially given his history of sexually abusing minors. The revelation sheds further light on Epstein's deep ties to the art world, including his involvement in overseeing art investments for major collectors.

The details

According to emails, Epstein's assistant Sarah Kellen asked an employee named Rich Barnett to ship the 9'x9' canvas replica to Epstein's ranch in July 2011. Epstein had paid $1,999 for the reproduction, which was created by Ocean's Bridge Group, a company that sells oil painting reproductions. The original 'Massacre of the Innocents' painting is part of the collection at the Mauritshuis museum in the Netherlands.

  • Epstein ordered the painting replica on December 28, 2010, which is recognized as the Feast of the Holy Innocents in many Christian denominations.
  • The emails regarding the painting's shipment to the ranch were sent in July 2011.

The players

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender who died by apparent suicide in 2019 after being arrested for sex trafficking minors.

Sarah Kellen

Epstein's assistant who emailed an employee to have the painting shipped to Epstein's ranch.

Rich Barnett

An employee who was asked by Kellen to ship the painting replica to Epstein's ranch.

Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem

A Dutch Golden Age painter who created the original 'Massacre of the Innocents' painting in 1591.

Ocean's Bridge Group

A company that sells oil painting reproductions, including the replica of 'Massacre of the Innocents' commissioned by Epstein.

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What they’re saying

“Fedex the painting he had made of the Massacre of the Innocents to the ranch. It's the large 9'x9' canvas that we had rolled out for him to see in the entry way where they are killing babies.”

— Sarah Kellen, Epstein's assistant (Emails)

The takeaway

Epstein's choice to commission a replica of the disturbing 'Massacre of the Innocents' painting, which depicts the murder of infant boys, is a chilling example of his twisted tastes and further evidence of his deep ties to the art world, including his involvement in overseeing investments for major art collectors.