Flight into Egypt

Art Historical Context

Pier Francesco Mola's *Flight into Egypt* (1647/66) captures a pivotal biblical moment from the Gospel of Matthew: the Holy Family—Mary cradling the infant Jesus, accompanied by Joseph and a donkey—fleeing Herod's massacre of the innocents. This etching, housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, exemplifies Mola's mastery during the Italian Baroque era. Born in Switzerland but trained in Rome under the Bolognese school, Mola blended dramatic chiaroscuro with lyrical landscapes, infusing religious narratives with emotional depth and natural beauty. Rendered as an etching on ivory laid paper—a premium 17th-century support prized for its creamy tone and subtle texture that enhances ink saturation—the print measures 46.9 × 31.2 cm. Etching allowed Mola to intricate lines and velvety tones through acid-bitten copper plates, making fine art accessible beyond paintings. This technique democratized Baroque drama, enabling wider dissemination of devotional imagery during Counter-Reformation fervor. Mola's work reflects the era's spiritual intensity, where art served faith amid religious strife. Visitors will appreciate its poised composition: soft shadows evoke divine protection amid peril, a timeless reminder of refuge and resilience. A gem of printmaking history, it invites contemplation of artistry's enduring power.

About the Artist

Pier Francesco Mola · 1612–1666

Pier Francesco Mola (1612–1666) was a Roman Baroque painter celebrated for the lyrical quality of his landscapes and the painterly freedom of his figural work, qualities that set him apart from the more rigorous classicism of some of his contemporaries. Born in Coldrerio in the Swiss canton of Ticino, he spent the greater part of his career in Rome, where he underwent an extensive and eclectic for...