Landschap met de vlucht naar Egypte c. 1663 - 1726

Moise Jean Baptiste Fouard created this print, "Landscape with the Flight into Egypt" in the late 17th or early 18th century. The composition teeters between the earthly and the divine, using finely etched lines to create depth and texture. Fouard masterfully organizes the scene into distinct registers. In the foreground, we see Joseph asleep, a symbolic representation of human vulnerability. This contrasts sharply with the background, which is dominated by the architectural stability of a distant city, alluding to mankind's aspirations for order. Between these two zones, Mary and the Christ Child proceed on their journey, bridging the gap between earthly concerns and divine purpose. The use of line in this print isn't merely descriptive; it's a structural element. Notice how the lines create a sense of movement and direction, guiding the viewer's eye through the narrative. This linear structure underscores the theme of transition and flight, embedding within the print the conceptual journey of its subjects. Fouard challenges our perception by suggesting that meaning isn't fixed but is rather an unfolding process.