Flight into Egypt (Fuga deiparae in Aegyptum), from "The Large Landscapes"
Original title: Flight into Egypt (Fuga deiparae in Aegyptum), from "The Large Landscapes"
kurzbeschreibung
A figure sitting on a rock, addressed by someone standing nearby: this is how the Flight into Egypt from the series 'The Large Landscapes' begins. Johannes van Doetecum I etched the print around 1555–56 after a design by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. The biblical story is set within an expansive landscape with a city in the distance.
Description
Two figures anchor the foreground: one sits on a rock, the other stands beside it and turns toward the seated figure; both wear traditional garments. A third figure walks along a path into the depth. Trees and shrubs line the way toward the middle of the image. Beyond, a city with many buildings and towers rises on a hill. On the left, water suggests a river or lake. A cloudy sky hangs over the scene, giving it a somber mood; the whole remains monochrome in shades of gray.
Context
This etching belongs to the series 'The Large Landscapes,' published by the Dutch engraver Johannes van Doetecum I around 1555–56. The designs came from Pieter Bruegel the Elder, known for his richly detailed landscapes. The series circulated widely in its time and influenced landscape art in the Netherlands. The work survives in the second of two states.
Impact
The dense layout, with figures in front and the city behind, evokes a quiet, reflective mood. The cloudy sky reinforces the serious tone of the biblical narrative. Trees and buildings are rendered with such precision that they invite prolonged looking.
Technique
Etching and engraving were both used for this print, which was issued in its second state. The process allows fine lines and a detailed rendering of the landscape. The monochrome gray-scale presentation follows the custom of printmaking of the period.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)