The Flight into Egypt; the Holy Family walking together, Saint Joseph pointing to the left and the Virgin carrying the infant Christ, an angel in front of her offering a flower, after Reni 1643 - 1681

Francois de Poilly created this engraving, *The Flight into Egypt*, after Guido Reni, sometime in the 17th century, now hanging in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The composition is structured around a central grouping of the Virgin and Child, flanked by Saint Joseph and an angel, all rendered in meticulous detail. The contrasting use of light and shadow draws the eye, creating a sense of depth and emotional intensity, typical of baroque sensibilities. Here, De Poilly employs line and form to communicate a narrative steeped in religious symbolism. The angel offering a flower can be seen as a signifier of divine protection. While Saint Joseph, with his staff and gesture, embodies guidance. The image evokes a sense of movement, reinforced by the diagonal lines of Joseph's staff and the angel's posture, that directs the viewer's eye. This work functions as both a devotional image and a display of technical skill, inviting us to reflect on the interplay between faith, art, and representation.