Who painted The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt was painted by Onorio Marinari in 1671.

Where can I see The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

The Flight into Egypt

Onorio Marinari , 1671

The Flight into Egypt is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Onorio Marinari. It dates from 1671 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1671, *The Flight into Egypt* is an oil painting by Florentine Baroque artist Onorio Marinari. Executed during the early Italian Baroque, the work depicts a nocturnal, urgent scene rendered with dramatic lighting. It is part of the religious genre and currently resides in the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a small group fleeing under cover of darkness, suggesting the biblical episode of the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt. A man, possibly a soldier, holds a spear and gazes upward, while a seated woman cradles a child, both looking downward. Their gestures and the shadowed landscape convey a sense of peril and divine protection.

Technique & Style

Marinari employs strong chiaroscuro, contrasting deep shadows with illuminated areas that suggest a cloudy night sky. Figures are clothed in flowing robes that catch the light, enhancing volume and movement. The painter’s handling of light and texture reflects the influence of contemporaries such as Carlo Dolci and Francesco Furini, characteristic of Florentine Baroque aesthetics.

History & Provenance

Trained by his father and later shaped by the styles of Dolci, Pignoni, and Furini, Marinari worked chiefly for Florentine patrons. After its creation, the painting entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display. Marinari’s broader career also included publishing an astronomical essay in 1674, underscoring his diverse intellectual pursuits.