Who painted The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt was painted by Baldassare Franceschini.

Where can I see The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Flight into Egypt

Baldassare Franceschini

The Flight into Egypt is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Baldassare Franceschini. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Baldassare Franceschini’s drawing titled *The Flight into Egypt* dates to around 1664. Executed in black and red chalk on cream‑laid paper, the work presents a delicate rendering of the biblical episode in which the Holy Family escapes to safety. The composition is modest in scale, reflecting the artist’s practice of using drawing as a means of exploring narrative and form.

Technique & Style

The piece employs a restrained palette of black and sanguine chalk, allowing Franceschini to model forms through subtle gradations of tone. The cream paper serves as a warm ground, enhancing the contrast between the dark outlines and the softer red shading. This approach highlights the artist’s skill in rendering texture and atmosphere within the limits of a single‑sheet drawing.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑17th century, the drawing belongs to Franceschini’s oeuvre during his Roman period, when he was active in producing both large‑scale frescoes and intimate studies. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been catalogued among his surviving drawings and is held in a European collection that specializes in Baroque drawings.