The Flight into Egypt
Medium
engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet (trimmed within platemark): 34.5 × 39.5 cm (13 9/16 × 15 9/16 in.) mount: 35 × 40 cm (13 3/4 × 15 3/4 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of W.G. Russell Allen
Accession Number
1941.1.159
Art Historical Context
"The Flight into Egypt," engraved by Hendrik Goudt in 1613 after a composition by Adam Elsheimer, captures the biblical story of the Holy Family’s escape to safety. This reproductive print translates Elsheimer’s intimate, luminous vision into a widely accessible format, allowing viewers across Europe to experience the dramatic nocturnal scene even if they could never see the original painting. As an engraving on laid paper, the work highlights the important role of printmaking in the early seventeenth century. Skilled burin work translates delicate lines and tonal contrasts onto the sheet, pr...