Landschap met de vlucht naar Egypte 1770 - 1820

Friedrich Wilhelm Gmelin created this landscape depicting the Flight to Egypt with etching. The scene captures Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus escaping Herod’s decree, seeking refuge from persecution. The motif of the "rest on the flight" appears in the Middle Ages, evolving into an iconography of comfort, relaxation, and divinity. This echoes ancient depictions of river gods and nymphs. Observe how Mary is depicted as the Madonna of Humility, seated on the ground, connecting her to the earth and underscoring a theme of refuge found in nature. This composition speaks to humanity’s deep-seated need for sanctuary, a theme that resonates across cultures. We see echoes of this in classical depictions of Arcadia. This longing for an idyllic escape touches on our collective memories. It invites the viewer to contemplate the emotional weight carried by such imagery across time. The flight becomes a universal symbol of seeking safety in times of turmoil.