The artwork, titled “Flight into Egypt”, was created by the artist Giotto between approximately 1311 and 1320. This fresco, belonging to the Proto Renaissance movement, depicts a scene of religious significance and is located in the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Assisi, Italy.
The artwork portrays the biblical event of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt, escaping King Herod’s massacre. The central figures include the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, both with golden halos signifying their holiness. They are depicted riding a donkey, led by Joseph, who also bears a halo, highlighting his sanctity. Two angels hover above the scene, guiding the family on their journey. The backdrop features verdant hills, symbolic of the sacred landscape through which they travel. The fresco showcases Giotto’s mastery in combining naturalism with spiritual symbolism, a hallmark of the Proto Renaissance era.
