The artwork, titled “Flight into Egypt,” created by the artist Maurice Prendergast between circa 1912 and circa 1915, is a religious painting executed in watercolor on paper. This piece, belonging to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement, measures 26.67 x 24.77 cm and is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork portrays a biblical scene with a simple yet vibrant approach characteristic of Prendergast’s style. A figure leading a donkey carrying a woman and child is depicted in a lively, almost childlike manner. The backdrop is adorned with decorative, abstract floral patterns, rendered in bright, bold colors that contrast with the otherwise earthy tones of the figures and landscape. The use of color and form, as well as the unrefined artistic techniques, evoke a sense of innocence and naivety that is typical of the primitivist movement. The depiction suggests the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt, a common theme in religious art, characterized by its intimate and heartfelt representation of familial devotion and divine grace.
