The Flight into Egypt thumbnail 1
The Flight into Egypt thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C , Case EW, Shelf 143F

The Flight into Egypt

Woodcut
ca. 1504-1505 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Joseph is shown leading a donkey which carries Mary, who is cradling the baby Jesus. Jesus's swaddled head is visible in the centre of the print, between Mary and the horn of the ox. According to the Bible, the Holy Family fled to Egypt after Joseph received a warning in a dream that King Herod was searching for the infant Jesus in order to kill him.

The quality of Dürer's superb draughtsmanship, combined with the skill of the artists who cut his drawings in the wood, established woodcutting as a major artistic medium.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Flight into Egypt (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Woodcut, ink on paper
Brief description
Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528); The Flight into Egypt from The Life of the Blessed Virgin; ca 1504-5; woodcut
Physical description
Woodcut
Dimensions
  • Height: 29.8cm
  • Width: 20.9cm
Credit line
Dalton Bequest
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Literary referenceThe Bible, Mathew Chapter 2, Verses 13-15
Summary
Joseph is shown leading a donkey which carries Mary, who is cradling the baby Jesus. Jesus's swaddled head is visible in the centre of the print, between Mary and the horn of the ox. According to the Bible, the Holy Family fled to Egypt after Joseph received a warning in a dream that King Herod was searching for the infant Jesus in order to kill him.

The quality of Dürer's superb draughtsmanship, combined with the skill of the artists who cut his drawings in the wood, established woodcutting as a major artistic medium.
Collection
Accession number
E.1134-1900

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Record createdNovember 21, 2002
Record URL
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