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The Flight into Egypt

Benjamin West

1800

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century Allegory

Dominant colour

The Flight into Egypt is a 1800 ink by Benjamin West, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Benjamin West
When & what style?: 1800 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

In this painting, a woman is shown with a child, possibly the Virgin Mary and Jesus, as they flee to Egypt. The woman is dressed in a long robe and has a head covering, while the child is wrapped in a cloth. The background is dark, with some faint outlines of trees or buildings visible. The scene is depicted in a romanticized style, with soft lines and muted colors. The woman's facial expression is serene, while the child appears to be sleeping or looking up at her. The overall mood of the painting is one of quiet contemplation and reverence. For more information on the Romanticism movement, look up the art movement Romanticism.