The Flight into Egypt 1700

Francesco Polanzani made this print of the Flight into Egypt using etching in the 1700s. This image is from the gospel of Matthew, where Joseph is warned in a dream to flee with Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod’s infanticide. Prints like this circulated widely in Europe, often commissioned by religious institutions and then distributed to the masses. Notice the contrast between the holy family in the center, bathed in light and framed by angels, and the shadowy, chaotic figures in the background. It serves as a visual code, highlighting the sacred nature of the family's journey versus the violence they are escaping. The visual composition and circulation of the image demonstrates how religious institutions used art to communicate their values and narratives to a broad audience. To understand this work better, we can consult period writings on religious doctrine, and consider the patronage system that enabled its creation. Art like this reminds us that its meanings are always contingent on social and institutional contexts.