The Flight into Egypt c. 1555 - 1556

Editor: This is "The Flight into Egypt" by Joannes van Doetecum, a print housed at the Harvard Art Museums. I am struck by how the landscape dominates the holy family, almost dwarfing them. What symbols do you see at play here? Curator: The landscape itself is a powerful symbol. It’s not merely a backdrop, but a space of refuge and potential danger. The journey into Egypt, beyond its literal meaning, carries the weight of seeking asylum, a universal theme echoed throughout history. Notice how the density of the forest contrasts with the open landscape in the background. Editor: So, the forest represents protection, a safe haven? Curator: Precisely. But also, consider the psychological weight of entering an unknown territory. The contrast might hint at both hope and uncertainty, don’t you think? Editor: I do. I never considered landscape carrying symbolic weight like that. Curator: Visual symbols are carriers of memory and cultural continuity. Looking at them helps us to understand a culture’s values and how they are preserved and transformed.