The Flight into Egypt 1571

Cornelis Cort made this engraving, The Flight into Egypt, in the late 16th century. The image depicts Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod's decree to kill all male children in Bethlehem. Cort was a Dutch printmaker who spent much of his career in Italy. His style reflects the influence of Italian Renaissance art, particularly in the idealized figures and classical architecture seen in the background. Printmaking at this time was driven by the demands of the market. This print was commissioned to circulate the messages of the Catholic Church, and it underscores the importance of family, faith, and obedience to divine will. The setting is pastoral, but the ruins in the background remind us of the fallen glory of Rome, now superseded by the Christian narrative. By studying the artist's life, the social and religious context of the time, and the patronage system that supported artistic production, we can gain a deeper understanding of the image's meaning and significance.