Who painted The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt was painted by Herman van Swanevelt in 1653.

Where can I see The Flight into Egypt?

The Flight into Egypt is held by Cleveland Museum 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

Herman van Swanevelt , 1653

The Flight into Egypt is a print by the Baroque artist Herman van Swanevelt. It dates from 1653 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1987.92
Credit line: Gift of Louise S. Richards in appreciation of The Print Club of Cleveland

About this work

Overview

Herman Swanevelt’s print series The Flight into Egypt presents the biblical episode of Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus escaping Herod’s decree. Rather than a single tableau, the narrative unfolds across four distinct scenes, each emphasizing the surrounding landscape as much as the figures.

Subject & Meaning

The sequence follows the Holy Family’s journey: angels trail behind them, Joseph assists Mary from the donkey, he guides the animal to a water source while Mary tends to the child, and finally the group rests. By isolating these moments, Swanevelt invites a more intimate contemplation of the family’s ordeal.

Technique & Style

Executed in print, the images display Swanevelt’s characteristic handling of light, rendering a warm, sun‑lit atmosphere that echoes his painted works. The landscapes, though depicting an Egyptian flight, are rendered in the gentle, pastoral style of the Italian countryside, reflecting the artist’s experience in Rome and Paris.

History & Provenance

Although Dutch by birth, Swanevelt spent much of his career abroad, absorbing Italian influences that shaped his approach to landscape. The series was produced in the mid‑17th century, a period when landscape prints enjoyed heightened popularity across Europe.

Context

Swanevelt’s focus on expansive scenery aligns with a broader 1600s trend that elevated landscape to a primary genre. By integrating biblical narrative within such settings, he participates in a Dutch tradition of merging devotional subjects with naturalistic environments.