The Flight into Egypt: a Night Piece
Original title: The Flight into Egypt: a Night Piece
kurzbeschreibung
In this 1651 etching, Rembrandt van Rijn depicts the biblical Flight into Egypt: Mary rides a donkey while Joseph walks beside her carrying a basket. The print has plate tone and is in its first state.
Description
On the right, a figure rides a horse; on the left, another stands holding a basket. The garments recall the Renaissance. The layout is asymmetrical, and the background falls into deep darkness laced with shadows, creating a nocturnal mood. Gloomy lighting brings the outlines of the figures forward. Black and white tones dominate, with strong contrasts and carefully worked shadows.
Context
Rembrandt made this etching in Amsterdam in 1651, a time when he was deeply engaged with biblical subjects and printmaking. The Flight into Egypt was a widespread motif in seventeenth-century Dutch art. Treating it as a night piece continues a tradition that Rembrandt adapted in several works. The fact that the sheet is in its first state points to an early version of the print.
Impact
The dark design, veined with shadows, creates a mysterious and intimate atmosphere. Because the light concentrates on the figures, the eye is drawn to the central characters, and the scene gains a calm, reflective mood. The contrast of light and darkness underscores the nighttime flight and the vulnerability of those depicted.
Technique
Rembrandt printed this etching with plate tone, which yields soft transitions and an atmospheric effect. The medium allows for fine lines and hatching, characteristic of his detailed shading. The plate measures 12.7 × 11 cm; the sheet is somewhat larger.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)