The Flight into Egypt (Reni)
1618
oil
From the collection of Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
1618
oil
From the collection of Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
In this painting, a woman with long hair and a red dress is shown holding a baby. She is standing next to a man with a beard, who is pointing to something in the distance. The woman's dress is flowing, and the man's robes are draped around him. The background is dark, with some light shining through. The woman is looking down at the baby, while the man is looking out at the viewer. The baby is wrapped in a cloth, and the woman's hand is resting on its head. The man's hand is extended, as if he is gesturing to something. This painting is an example of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts of light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth.
