Artwork
Flucht nach Ägypten (?)
Flucht nach Ägypten (?) is an unspecified painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Charles de La Fosse. It dates from 1688 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1688 by Paris‑born painter Charles de La Fosse, this canvas illustrates the biblical episode of the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt. Executed during the French Classical Baroque era, the work reflects de La Fosse’s reputation for handling religious narratives with a measured yet expressive approach.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a woman cradling an infant, flanked by a male figure and an angelic attendant. The woman’s dark garment contrasts with the lighter attire of the man and the celestial messenger, underscoring the protective role of the divine in guiding the family away from danger.
Technique & Style
De La Fosse employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, modeling forms through stark light‑and‑shadow contrasts that lend volume to the figures and depth to the surrounding landscape of trees and rolling hills. The triangular arrangement of the three main characters creates a balanced, harmonious structure typical of French Baroque aesthetics.
History & Provenance
Trained under Charles Le Brun and later a professor at the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture, de La Fosse produced this piece amid his mature period. While the painting’s early ownership records are sparse, it remains attributed to the artist and is recognized as part of his late‑career religious output.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles de La Fosse (French pronunciation: ; or Lafosse; 15 June 1636 – 13 December 1716) was a French painter born in Paris.
