Flight into Egypt 1647 - 1666

Pier Francesco Mola created this etching titled 'Flight into Egypt,' in Italy sometime in the mid-17th century. The image depicts a restful moment during the Holy Family's flight into Egypt, a story that allowed artists to explore themes of refuge and divine protection. The visual language of the image speaks to the influence of both religious and artistic institutions. We see this in the careful arrangement of figures according to classical compositional principles. But Mola also shows his own personality in the expressive faces and lively landscape. The presence of putti, or angelic children, adds a decorative element that was fashionable at the time. Mola was working in a period when the Catholic Church still powerfully influenced artistic production. The church played a vital role in commissioning art for public display, and religious themes dominated. Examining patronage records and the artist's biography would help us to understand the conditions in which Mola was working.