The Flight into Egypt: Small Plate 1620 - 1957

Curator: Claude Henri Watelet gives us “The Flight into Egypt: Small Plate," created sometime between 1620 and 1957. It's currently housed here at the Met. An engraving, etching and drawing all at once, quite amazing. Editor: Oh, wow. Immediately I see exhaustion etched into every line—no pun intended! The way the donkey hangs its head, the hunched posture of the figure leading... It speaks of a journey laden with worry. Curator: Absolutely, that weariness is palpable. The scene represents the biblical story of Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod's decree to kill all male children. This historical context infuses the image with layers of political and social meaning related to persecution, migration, and the search for safety. Editor: It’s interesting how he focuses not on the drama of the decree, but this intimate moment of escape. They look like refugees of any era, don’t they? Makes you think about the desperation that forces people to leave everything behind. Curator: Precisely! The work resonates across time because it highlights universal themes of displacement and resilience. We can also analyze this through a postcolonial lens. Egypt as both a place of refuge and a land with its own complex power dynamics. The power dynamics between colonizer and colonized, the experience of Black people is that era. Editor: Hmmm... yes, absolutely. On a simpler level, though, the dense crosshatching creates this almost oppressive atmosphere. Like the weight of the world is pressing down on them as they flee. Curator: The artist certainly utilizes the medium to amplify the emotional impact. The landscape itself plays a significant role, acting as both a source of potential shelter and an embodiment of the unknown challenges ahead. Landscape as witness and participant. Editor: You know, looking at it now, I'm struck by how universal their plight remains. Seeking safety, hoping for a new beginning…It makes me think of my own family's journey. Curator: Exactly. This piece really underscores how historical narratives continually echo into the present. It challenges us to reflect on contemporary issues through the lens of art. Editor: Well said! It definitely offers food for thought, both historical and deeply personal.