Vlucht naar Egypte 1620

Editor: Here we have "The Flight into Egypt," a 1620 engraving by Lucas Vorsterman I, residing at the Rijksmuseum. There's something about the precision of line work set against that idyllic landscape that I find compelling. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It whispers of sanctuary, doesn't it? Of course, it's Vorsterman interpreting Rubens, and both filter the Bible. Here’s Mary, Joseph, the wee babe, and a dutiful donkey, all escaping Herod's decree. That bird at the top left--what do you suppose Vorsterman means? Editor: An angel, maybe? Guiding them on their way. Curator: Possibly. Though Vorsterman often likes to add an interesting element outside the immediate story. The whole scene has a staged feel. Consider Mary’s opulent dress; she seems an odd choice for a desperate fugitive. Is it real, or is it designed to capture the viewer's imagination? Does she seem preoccupied? What occupies her gaze? Editor: She does seem pensive, maybe dreading the unknown that lays ahead. She's clearly got a lot on her mind. Curator: Exactly! Now look at Joseph. His arm stretches protectively toward the child, toward us. Vorsterman seems to understand, maybe even embody, the turmoil and uncertainty of finding refuge in a foreign land. The tree gives comfort but also shadows, eh? Editor: I see now that this piece depicts their fear, and that their opulence provides hope through faith. Curator: Indeed, even in monochrome, Vorsterman creates an image with immense power.