Who painted The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt was painted by Matteo Bonechi in 1719.

Where can I see The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt is held by Fitzwilliam Museum.

What movement is The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

The Flight into Egypt

Matteo Bonechi , 1719

The Flight into Egypt is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Matteo Bonechi. It dates from 1719 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.

About this work

Overview

Matteo Bonechi’s oil painting *The Flight into Egypt*, executed circa 1719, portrays the Holy Family’s nocturnal departure from Bethlehem. The composition centers on a woman in a white mantle cradling an infant, accompanied by a man and a donkey laden with provisions. A subdued, darkened landscape recedes behind them, illuminated by a soft, upward light that highlights the figures’ forms.

Subject & Meaning

The work visualizes the biblical episode in which Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus flee to escape King Herod’s edict. The subdued expressions and downward gazes of the parents convey a contemplative resolve, while the donkey’s forward stance suggests movement toward safety. The scene emphasizes divine protection and the humble perseverance of the family amid peril.

Technique & Style

Bonechi employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, using stark contrasts between the illuminated foreground and the enveloping shadows to create depth.

Bonechi employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, using stark contrasts between the illuminated foreground and the enveloping shadows to create depth. The palette is restrained, with the white of the mother’s robe standing out against muted earth tones. Though rooted in late Baroque training, the painting adopts Rococo’s lighter touch, evident in the delicate rendering of drapery and the gentle atmospheric light.

History & Provenance

A native of Florence, Bonechi studied under Giovanni Camillo Sagrestani and spent his career producing religious commissions for local churches and aristocratic residences. *The Flight into Egypt* reflects his typical output for ecclesiastical patrons during the early 18th century. The painting remains documented within Florentine collections, illustrating the artist’s role in the city’s devotional visual culture of the period.