“The Flight into Egypt” is a woodcut by Albrecht Durer, created in 1511 during the Northern Renaissance. It’s part of the “Life of the Virgin” series, classified under religious paintings and located in the Albertina museum in Vienna, Austria. This artwork depicts the biblical event where the Holy Family flees to Egypt.
In the woodcut, we see the Virgin Mary seated on a donkey, which is being led by Joseph. Baby Jesus is depicted in Mary’s arms, while Joseph looks over his shoulder, perhaps cautiously surveying the surroundings or looking for the way forward. The scene is set in a lush environment, filled with a variety of plants and trees which showcase Durer’s attention to detail and skill in rendering nature. The palm trees and other exotic plants suggest an idea of Egypt or a foreign land, while in the foreground, a small fire and cooking pot may be recognizable, indicating a brief stop in their journey. The background features a dense collection of trees, and the sky is adorned with soft clouds, which adds to the atmosphere of the woodcut. The meticulous lines and contrasting dark and light areas illustrate Durer’s mastery of the woodcut technique, emphasizing texture and depth.
