Artwork
The Flight into Egypt
The Flight into Egypt is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolas Poussin. It dates from 1658 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.
About this work
Overview
Nicolas Poussin's painting, The Flight into Egypt, executed in oil around 1657 or 1658, depicts a pivotal biblical narrative. This work, characteristic of the French Baroque master's classical approach, captures a moment of sacred journey within a carefully composed landscape. It is a significant example of his mature period, illustrating his command of both narrative and pictorial structure.
Subject & Meaning
The serene expression of the Virgin and the angel's protective gesture convey a sense of divine intervention and solace amidst their flight.
The canvas illustrates the Holy Family's perilous journey, with the Virgin Mary, clad in white, cradling the infant Jesus as Joseph, in a red cloak, accompanies them. An angel with outstretched arm guides their path towards a distant structure, while another figure rests nearby. The serene expression of the Virgin and the angel's protective gesture convey a sense of divine intervention and solace amidst their flight.
Technique & Style
Poussin employs a refined use of oil paint to render the scene with clarity and depth. The soft interplay of light and shadow models the figures and elements of the landscape, providing a sense of three-dimensionality. This careful modulation of tone, combined with a balanced composition featuring trees, a lake, and rocky terrain, underscores the painting's classical aesthetic and narrative focus.
History & Provenance
Originally created in 1657 or 1658, this oil painting by Nicolas Poussin first entered the collection of the Musée du Louvre. Over time, the artwork's custodianship changed, and it was subsequently transferred to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon. This movement reflects the evolving curatorial practices and distribution of significant national art collections within France.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolas Poussin (UK: , US: , French: ; June 1594 – 19 November 1665) was a leading painter of the classical French Baroque style, although he spent most of his working life in Rome.
