Who painted The flight into Egypt?

The flight into Egypt was painted by Alessandro Turchi in 1630.

Where can I see The flight into Egypt?

The flight into Egypt is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is The flight into Egypt?

The flight into Egypt is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of The flight into Egypt?

Museum-quality prints of The flight into Egypt are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The flight into Egypt

Alessandro Turchi , 1630

The flight into Egypt is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Alessandro Turchi. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Overview

Alessandro Turchi’s *The Flight into Egypt* (1630) is an oil painting that belongs to the early Italian Baroque. Executed in a dimly lit setting, the work presents a small group of travelers illuminated against a dark background, allowing the vivid blues and reds of the figures to stand out sharply.

Subject & Meaning

A youthful boy in green leans on a donkey, whose head intrudes into the foreground, reinforcing the narrative’s sense of movement and protection.

The composition portrays the biblical episode of the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt. A woman in a blue mantle cradles an infant, while a bearded man in a red‑brown cloak gestures toward a partially clothed, winged figure that suggests an angelic presence. A youthful boy in green leans on a donkey, whose head intrudes into the foreground, reinforcing the narrative’s sense of movement and protection.

Technique & Style

Turchi combines a softened modeling of forms with the dramatic chiaroscuro associated with Caravaggio. The contrast between the deep shadows and the illuminated garments creates a three‑dimensional effect, while the unusual solidity of the winged figure highlights the artist’s willingness to experiment within the Baroque visual language.

History & Provenance

Born in Verona in 1578, Turchi spent much of his early career in his native city before moving to Rome, where he absorbed contemporary influences. *The Flight into Egypt* entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Baroque holdings.

Context

The painting reflects the early Baroque interest in religious subjects rendered with emotional immediacy. Turchi’s blend of gentle figuration and Caravaggesque lighting situates the work within a transitional moment in Italian art, where the serene compositions of the late Renaissance gave way to more dynamic, light‑driven narratives.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Alessandro Turchi

Alessandro Turchi (1578 – 22 January 1649) was an Italian painter of the early Baroque, born and active mainly in Verona, and moving late in life to Rome.