The Flight into Egypt

Art Historical Context

In the hushed glow of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Paintings gallery, Carlo Maratti's *The Flight into Egypt (ca. 1664) captures a pivotal biblical moment: the Holy Family—Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus, accompanied by Joseph and tender angels—fleeing Herod's massacre of the innocents. This oil on copper panel, measuring just 23 3/4 × 191/8 inches, the 17th-century Baroque era's devotion to religious narratives blending spirituality with human emotion to inspire awe in viewers. Maratti, a leading Roman Baroque artist influenced by Raphael and the Carracci, favored a classical elegance over dramatic tenebrism, evident here in the luminous figures and soft modeling. The choice of copper as a support was ingenious for such small-scale works; its smooth, non-absorbent surface allowed for exquisite detail and jewel-like glazes, making colors vibrate with ethereal light—perfect for private devotion or princely collections. Bequeathed to the Met in 2020 by Errol M. Rudman, this gem underscores the enduring cultural power of sacred stories, inviting us to ponder themes of protection and exile that resonate across centuries.

About the Artist

Carlo Maratti · 1625–1713

Son of a Dalmatian father. Known as the last major Italian artist of the classical tradition, which had originated with Raphael. He created a grandiose and decorative style that was valued by his ecclesiastical patrons. Comment on works: History; Religious.