Artwork
The Flight, Holy Family at the Right, Joseph Looking to the Left
The Flight, Holy Family at the Right, Joseph Looking to the Left is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo. It dates from 1753 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1753 etching by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo captures a dramatic nighttime scene of the Holy Family in flight, conveyed through expressive shading and composition.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts the Holy Family (Mary, Jesus, and Joseph) fleeing, identified by Mary’s halo amidst a tense, moonlit escape. The scene conveys a sense of urgency and vulnerability.
Technique & Style
Tiepolo employed etching to achieve deep, expressive lines, using contrasting darks and lights to create depth. The bold, dark outlines of figures and animals contrast with the lighter, stormy sky.
History & Provenance
Created in 1753 by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, son of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, this work reflects the family’s artistic legacy. Provenance details are not specified in available information.
Context
This etching sits within the broader tradition of depicting the Flight into Egypt in Christian art, yet Tiepolo’s nighttime setting and emphasis on movement offer a distinct interpretation.
Legacy
While specific influence of this etching on later artists is not well-documented, it contributes to the Tiepolo family’s significant impact on 18th-century European printmaking and religious art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (August 30, 1727 – March 3, 1804) was an Italian painter and printmaker in etching. He was the son of artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and elder brother of Lorenzo Baldissera Tiepolo.
The Flight with the Holy Family at the Left
The Flight, Joseph at Right and Mary and Angel at Left
The Flight with the Holy Family at the Right
The Flight with Joseph in the Foreground
Flight into Egypt: The Holy Family Approaching a Village
Flight into Egypt: The Holy Family Leaving the Shore
The Rest on the Flight with Joseph in Adoration
The Flight with Joseph in the Foreground
Flight into Egypt: The Holy Family, Disembarking
Flight into Egypt: The Holy Family Passing near a Pyramid
The Rest on the Flight, with Holy Family under a Tree
The Flight, Holy Family Walking with Angel