Who painted The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt was painted by Master L. Cz. in 1515.

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 Renaissance.

Artwork

The Flight into Egypt

Master L. Cz. , 1515

The Flight into Egypt is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Master L. Cz.. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1515, this copper‑plate engraving presents the biblical episode of the Holy Family’s nocturnal departure from Bethlehem.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1515, this copper‑plate engraving presents the biblical episode of the Holy Family’s nocturnal departure from Bethlehem. The composition centers on Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus mounted on a donkey, moving through a densely wooded landscape that conveys both movement and concealment.

Subject & Meaning

The work visualizes the Flight into Egypt, a moment of divine refuge after King Herod’s decree. The dark forest and subdued lighting emphasize the vulnerability of the figures while also suggesting a protective enclosure, underscoring themes of exile, guidance, and quiet perseverance.

Technique & Style

Executed with delicate, intersecting lines, the engraving demonstrates a mastery of tonal variation achieved through meticulous hatching. The artist’s handling of light and shadow reflects a transitional aesthetic, combining the intricate detail typical of Martin Schongauer with the emerging spatial awareness associated with Albrecht Dürer.

History & Provenance

Attributed to the anonymous German printmaker known only as Master L. Cz., the piece belongs to a modest corpus of twelve surviving engravings. Active in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, the artist’s output marks a brief yet notable contribution to the evolution of German printmaking.

Artist & collection

Artist

Master L. Cz.

Master L. Cz. (active c. 1480–1505) was an anonymous late 15th-century German Renaissance printmaker. Only twelve engravings by his hand are extant, but their virtuosity establishes him as a talented artist whose work…