Who painted Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt?

Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1504.

Where can I see Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt?

Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt?

Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt?

Museum-quality prints of Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt

Albrecht Dürer , 1504

Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1504 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays the Holy Family taking refuge in Egypt, a scene drawn from apocryphal gospel narratives rather than the canonical New Testament.

The work portrays the Holy Family taking refuge in Egypt, a scene drawn from apocryphal gospel narratives rather than the canonical New Testament. Dürer emphasizes domestic intimacy, showing Mary cradling the infant Jesus while Joseph watches protectively, a composition that underscores both the vulnerability and divine purpose of the family. Symbolically, the quiet setting and gentle gestures convey themes of protection, faith, and the human dimension of the sacred story.

The subject aligns with the broader Life of the Virgin series, which dramatizes key moments in Mary's life and invites contemplation of her role as intercessor and mother of the Messiah.

Technique & Style

The work is a woodcut print executed on paper, reflecting the German Renaissance’s emphasis on precise line work and chiaroscuro. Dürer rendered the Holy Family’s flight with careful handling of light and shadow, creating a composition that balances narrative intimacy with symbolic depth. The print’s dimensions measure 29 cm in height and 21 cm in width, and it was produced in Nuremberg in 1504.

Stylistically, the image draws on New Testament themes, depicting Mary, Jesus Christ, and related figures within a serene, almost contemplative setting. The formal qualities include intricate detail in the drapery and landscape, as well as a balanced spatial arrangement that underscores the sacred narrative.

History & Provenance

Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt is a woodcut by Albrecht Dürer dated 1504, produced on paper in Nuremberg as part of the Life of the Virgin series. The print depicts the Rest on the Flight into Egypt, drawn from the New Testament, and shows Mary with the Christ Child.

Impressions of the woodcut are held in several major collections, including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Albertina, the Chester Beatty Library, and the Prints in the National Gallery of Art / Rosenwald Collection. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is also listed among institutions holding impressions of the work.

The sources document the print's creation date, place of production, and current institutional holdings, but they do not record a specific commissioner, patron, or sequential ownership history for any individual impression.

Overview

Sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt is a woodcut print created by Albrecht Dürer around 1504, portraying a religious scene featuring Jesus Christ and Mary.

Context

Produced in the early 16th century, this work reflects the era's religious themes and the burgeoning capability for art to reach broader audiences through printmaking techniques like woodcutting.

Legacy

While specific lasting impacts of this particular work are not highlighted, it contributes to Dürer's broader influence on the development and popularity of woodcut prints in European art.