Artwork
La Fuite en Egypte
La Fuite en Egypte is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Guillaume Dubufe. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.
About this work
The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, with the moon casting a gentle glow over the scene.
This painting depicts a serene scene of the Holy Family's flight into Egypt. The Virgin Mary, holding the infant Jesus, rides a donkey led by Joseph through a desert landscape under a full moon.
In the background, a distant cityscape is visible, with buildings and trees silhouetted against the night sky. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, with the moon casting a gentle glow over the scene.
The Scottish National Gallery holds this beautiful work, "La Fuite en Egypte" by Guillaume Dubufe, painted in 1894. To explore more works that utilize chiaroscuro, look up this technique.
Overview
Guillaume Dubufe’s oil painting La Fuite en Egypte, executed in 1898, portrays the biblical episode of the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt. The work is part of the collection of the Scottish National Gallery, where it is displayed among other 19th‑century religious subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on Mary and the infant Jesus seated on a donkey, guided by Joseph through a nocturnal desert. The tranquil journey suggests divine protection and the humility of the family as they seek refuge, echoing the scriptural narrative of exile and salvation.
Technique & Style
Dubufe employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing the full moon to illuminate the foreground while casting the distant landscape in deep shadow. The contrast between light and dark creates atmospheric depth, and the muted palette reinforces the quiet, contemplative mood of the night scene.
History & Provenance
After its completion in the late 1890s, La Fuite en Egypte entered the Scottish National Gallery’s holdings, where it has remained in public ownership. The museum’s acquisition records indicate the painting was purchased shortly after its exhibition in Europe, though the exact transaction date is not publicly documented.
Context
The work reflects the 19th‑century revival of religious genre painting in France, where artists like Dubufe revisited biblical themes with academic techniques. Its nocturnal setting aligns with contemporary interests in dramatic lighting, a trend also seen in the works of contemporaries such as Alexandre Cabanel and William-Adolphe Bouguereau.
Artist & collection
Artist
Guillaume Édouard Marie Dubufe was a French painter, decorator and illustrator.
