Basic Information

Historical Context

A woodcut depicting the Holy Family's flight into Egypt. This subject, drawn from the Gospel of Matthew, was a popular theme in Northern Renaissance art. [Inferred from Dürer Catalog] Visual Description The Virgin Mary rides a donkey, holding the Christ Child, while Saint Joseph walks beside them leading the animal. The family travels through a rocky landscape with trees and a distant view. The composition emphasizes the hardship and urgency of the journey. Artistic Analysis Dürer's treatment of the Flight into Egypt combines narrative clarity with naturalistic landscape. The rocky terrain and twisted trees create a sense of wilderness and danger, while the Holy Family's dignified composure conveys their trust in divine providence.