Flight into Egypt (Pareja)

Flight into Egypt
ArtistJuan de Pareja
Year1658

Flight into Egypt is a 1658 oil painting by Juan de Pareja. It is currently held by the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida. It is the earliest known dated work by the artist.[1]

Description

The Virgin Mary is depicted wearing a blue mantle and red dress, holding the Christ Child on her lap as they ride a donkey led by St. Joseph. An angel follows behind, carrying a branch of palm leaves. In the background, a date palm tree grows from a rocky landscape.[2]

Symbolism

The date palm symbolizes heavenly nourishment for the Holy Family, referencing legends of the Flight into Egypt where the branches bent down to provide food. The image of St. Joseph leading the donkey aligns with apocryphal texts where the saint is depicted as a guide for the Holy Family.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Flight into Egypt". The Ringling Museum of Art. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  2. ^ a b Sullivan, Edward J.; Mallory, Nina A.; Elliott, John Huxtable (1982). Painting in Spain, 1650-1700, from North American collections. Princeton University Press. p. 100. ISBN 978-0-691-03992-3.