Artwork
The Flight into Egypt
The Flight into Egypt is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1662 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Flight into Egypt, created by Stefano della Bella around 1662, is an etching with bitten tone that depicts a pivotal biblical scene. Characteristic of della Bella's prolific printmaking career, this work showcases his technical proficiency in the medium.
Subject & Meaning
The etching illustrates the Holy Family's escape to Egypt, with Joseph, Mary, and two children navigating a rugged landscape. Overlooking them, cherubic figures on clouds introduce a celestial, protective element, emphasizing the divine nature of the event.
Technique & Style
Della Bella employed etching and bitten tone to achieve depth and three-dimensionality. Strategic shading enhances the physicality of the figures and terrain, while the dreamlike quality of the floating cherubs contrasts with the earthly realism below.
History & Provenance
Part of della Bella's extensive oeuvre of over 1,000 prints, this piece exemplifies his rarity in focusing on religious themes amidst a broader repertoire of military, landscape, and genre subjects. The artist's near-exclusive dedication to printmaking and drawing is notable, with only one known painting attributed to him.
Context
Created in 17th-century Florence, The Flight into Egypt reflects the ongoing influence of religious narratives in Baroque art. Della Bella's choice of etching aligns with the medium's popularity during this period for disseminating religious and secular themes alike.
Legacy
While della Bella's overall body of work contributed significantly to the development of 17th-century printmaking, The Flight into Egypt specifically remains a testament to the artist's ability to balance the mundane details of a biblical scene with sublime, heavenly elements.
Artist & collection
Artist
Stefano della Bella (18 May 1610 – 12 July 1664) was an Italian draughtsman and printmaker known for etchings of a great variety of subjects, including military and court scenes, landscapes, and lively genre scenes.
![The Flight into Egypt [verso], by Stefano Della Bella](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/stefano-della-bella--the-flight-into-egypt-verso--3a100db72e6d25e3-w320.webp)
