Artwork

Holy Family on the Flight into Egypt

Holy Family on the Flight into Egypt, by Dominique Vivant Denon, 1809
Holy Family on the Flight into Egypt, by Dominique Vivant Denon, 1809

Holy Family on the Flight into Egypt is a print by the Romanticist artist Dominique Vivant Denon. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

This painting is interesting because it was made during a time when a new printing method, lithography, was being explored.

The painting shows a scene of the Holy Family on the Flight into Egypt.
It's a quiet moment with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.
The artist used simple colors to focus on the family.

This painting is interesting because it was made during a time when a new printing method, lithography, was being explored.
Lithography allowed artists to easily reproduce their work, which was a big deal back then.
It's cool to think about how this technology changed the art world.

You can learn more about this style by looking at the work of artist: Dominique Vivant Denon (French, 1747–1825)

Overview

This print, 'Holy Family on the Flight into Egypt', depicts a serene scene from a biblical narrative. Created using lithography, a relatively new printing technique at the time, it showcases the artist's ability to convey emotion through simple, yet effective means.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in a quiet moment during their flight into Egypt. The artist's use of simple colors emphasizes the family's tranquility and intimacy, highlighting the human aspect of the biblical narrative.

Technique & Style

The work is a lithograph, a printmaking technique discovered in 1798 by Alois Senefelder. Lithography allowed for a more personal and flexible approach to art reproduction, and French artists were among the first to appreciate its aesthetic potential.

History & Provenance

The introduction of lithography to France is attributed to Baron Lejeune, who discovered the technique in Munich in 1806. Dominique Vivant Denon's studio became a hub for lithography in Paris by 1811, indicating the print's likely connection to this artistic circle.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Dominique Vivant Denon

Artist

Dominique Vivant Denon

Dominique Vivant, Baron Denon was a French artist, writer, diplomat, author, and archaeologist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.