Plate depicting The Flight into Egypt c. 1650 - 1660

This plate depicting The Flight into Egypt was made by Rochus Jacobsz Hoppesteyn, a Dutch artist who lived between 1625 and 1725. The blue and white earthenware reflects a period of intense religious and political upheaval in Europe. At its center, we see Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod's decree to kill all male infants in Bethlehem. This plate not only illustrates a biblical story but also reflects the complex relationship between religious belief and the search for asylum. The figures, rendered in simple blue lines, carry with them the weight of persecution and the hope for a safe haven. Hoppesteyn invites us to reflect on themes of displacement, the vulnerability of families, and the universal quest for safety. It stands as a poignant reminder of the human capacity for both cruelty and compassion, echoing through centuries and cultures.