Who painted The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt was painted by Hendrik Goudt in 1613.

Where can I see The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of The Flight into Egypt?

Museum-quality prints of The Flight into Egypt are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Flight into Egypt

Hendrik Goudt , 1613

The Flight into Egypt is an ink print by the Baroque artist Hendrik Goudt. It dates from 1613 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:recto: in plate, below image: Profugit in tenebris lux mundi, et conditor orbis / Exul apud Pharios latitat (res mira) tyrannos. / Rebus in adversis exemplum hinc sumite Christi, / Quem semper tristi fortuna exercuit ira. H. Goudt. Palat. Comes et Aur. Mil. Eques 1613; recto: at bottom left, in graphite, in later hand: B-159 [upsidedown]; at bottom center, in graphite, in later hand: 66. 1[circled]. T[?]. 66 / H. Goudt And. 3
Markings: Marked:recto: none; verso: Dublette der Albertina (Lugt 5g)

About this work

Overview

Hendrik Goudt’s 1613 engraving titled The Flight into Egypt depicts the biblical journey of the Holy Family under cover of night. Executed on laid paper, the print presents a tranquil nocturnal landscape where the central figures, Joseph, Mary, and the infant, are positioned before a watery foreground, framed by trees and distant hills.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates the escape of the Holy Family from Bethlehem, emphasizing the intimate bond between the parents and child. The subdued lighting and sparse stars convey both the peril of their flight and the protective calm surrounding them, inviting contemplation of divine guidance in adversity.

Technique & Style

Goudt employs fine cross‑hatching and varied line work to model forms and suggest atmospheric depth. The engraving’s tonal gradations, achieved through dense parallel strokes, render the darkness of night, the shimmer of water, and the texture of foliage, demonstrating the artist’s mastery of the medium.

History & Provenance

Created in 1613, the print reflects the early 17th‑century Dutch interest in religious subjects rendered for a broad audience. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work is known from several museum collections and has been cited in catalogues of Goudt’s oeuvre.

Context

During the period, engravings served both devotional and didactic purposes, circulating biblical narratives beyond painted altarpieces. Goudt’s Flight into Egypt aligns with contemporary Northern European prints that combined detailed naturalism with spiritual themes, catering to private contemplation.

Legacy

The print remains a reference point for studies of early Dutch engraving, illustrating how line and texture can convey narrative and mood without color. Its careful handling of light and shadow continues to inform discussions of printmaking techniques in the early modern era.