Artwork
The Flight into Egypt
The Flight into Egypt is an oil painting. It dates from 1562 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Characteristic of the Renaissance period, the composition features a woman cradling an infant while seated on a donkey, accompanied by a man on foot.
This oil on panel painting, titled "The Flight into Egypt," depicts a family journeying through a natural setting. Characteristic of the Renaissance period, the composition features a woman cradling an infant while seated on a donkey, accompanied by a man on foot. The scene unfolds within a rugged landscape, with distant architectural elements and a body of water visible, all rendered with the nuanced capabilities of oil paints on a wooden support.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork illustrates the biblical narrative of the Holy Family's escape to Egypt, a flight undertaken to evade King Herod's decree against infants. The central figures are Mary, holding the infant Jesus, mounted on a donkey, and Joseph, who walks beside them. Their arduous journey is underscored by the untamed, rocky terrain, which provides a stark contrast to the distant, more settled view of buildings, symbolizing their urgent departure from a place of danger.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on a wooden panel, this work embodies key stylistic elements of the Renaissance movement. The artist employs a naturalistic approach in rendering both the human figures and their environment. Specific details, such as the man's vibrant red and yellow cape and the woman's blue cloak and head covering, are depicted with careful attention to color and the fall of drapery. The medium of oil paint facilitates subtle transitions of light and shadow, enhancing the depth and realism of the landscape's prominent rocks and trees.
Artist & collection
