Artwork
Landscape with The Flight into Egypt
Landscape with The Flight into Egypt is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Herri met de Bles. It dates from 1540 and is held in the collection of the Galleria Borghese. Created circa 1540, this oil painting presents a broad, atmospheric landscape that frames a biblical episode.
About this work
If you're interested in learning more about the artist who created this work, check out Herri met de Bles.
This painting shows a landscape with a group of people on the move. They're walking along a path, with a few buildings in the background. The scene is set in a hilly area with trees and bushes.
The people are dressed in old-fashioned clothing, and they seem to be traveling together. There's a sense of movement and energy in the scene, as if they're on a journey.
The painting is a beautiful example of landscape art from the 16th century. If you're interested in learning more about the artist who created this work, check out Herri met de Bles.
Overview
Created circa 1540, this oil painting presents a broad, atmospheric landscape that frames a biblical episode. The composition is dominated by a rugged, hilly terrain populated with trees, shrubs, and distant structures, while a small group of figures traverses a winding path within the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The narrative focus is the Flight into Egypt, a New Testament episode in which the Holy Family escapes Herod’s decree. The figures are rendered in contemporary 16th‑century dress, emphasizing the timelessness of the story by placing it within an idealized natural world.
Technique & Style
Executed in the Northern Renaissance tradition, the work reflects the influence of Gerard David through its meticulous detail and luminous colour. The elevated viewpoint and expansive vista are characteristic of the artist’s approach, integrating a modest religious tableau into a dominant landscape setting.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Herri met de Bles—also known as Henri Bles or Herry de Patinir—the painting entered the collection of the Galleria Borghese in Rome, where it remains on display. Bles was active in the early to mid‑16th century, working within the Flemish Mannerist milieu.
Context
During the period, Flemish painters increasingly explored landscape as an autonomous subject, often embedding scriptural scenes within panoramic settings. This work exemplifies that trend, merging devotional content with a detailed observation of nature typical of the region’s artistic developments.
Artist & collection
Artist
Herri met de Bles, also known as Henri Bles, Herri de Dinant, Herry de Patinir,(c.
