Artwork
Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt

Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1504 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt is a woodcut print created by Albrecht Dürer around 1504, portraying a religious scene featuring Jesus Christ and Mary.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene scene of the Holy Family's sojourn in Egypt, with Mary and Jesus Christ as the central figures, accompanied by a donkey, set amidst simple, natural surroundings of trees.
Technique & Style
Notably crafted using the woodcut technique, the work showcases Dürer's attention to detail, evident in the intricate rendering of clothing and facial expressions, achieved through carving a design into wood.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1504, the woodcut's technique facilitated mass reproduction, enabling widespread dissemination of the image, playing a significant role in the propagation of religious narratives during its time.
Context
Produced in the early 16th century, this work reflects the era's religious themes and the burgeoning capability for art to reach broader audiences through printmaking techniques like woodcutting.
Legacy
While specific lasting impacts of this particular work are not highlighted, it contributes to Dürer's broader influence on the development and popularity of woodcut prints in European art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.
![Madonna and Child [obverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--madonna-and-child-obverse--d7b8ebf05d22ebe5-w320.webp)


![Lot and His Daughters [reverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--lot-and-his-daughters-reverse--b4ebf9b282faa17a-w320.webp)















