De vlucht naar Egypte 1813

Diederik Jan Singendonck rendered this etching, "The Flight into Egypt," capturing a moment of biblical urgency. Here, the lantern held by Joseph is not merely a source of light, but a symbol of hope guiding them through darkness. Notice how this echoes the classical motif of the guiding light, seen even in ancient Greek depictions of nocturnal journeys. Think of Hecate, goddess of the crossroads, whose torches illuminate the paths of travelers. Across cultures, light in darkness represents not just physical guidance, but also spiritual enlightenment and divine protection. Yet, this light also embodies the subconscious—a flickering flame against the unknown, reflecting our deepest fears and hopes. The flight itself speaks to a primal instinct: the protection of the vulnerable, a theme recurring throughout art history. This narrative resonates with the collective human experience, forever capturing our anxieties and aspirations across time.