The Virgin of Sorrows: The Flight into Egypt; one of nine surrounding compartments from the Virgin of Sorrows, now separated 1520 - 1582

This 16th-century engraving by Giorgio Ghisi depicts the Flight into Egypt, a pivotal moment in Christian tradition. The Virgin Mary, draped in a voluminous robe, rides a donkey with the Christ Child in her arms. Joseph, with a staff, walks alongside them, as the family journeys into Egypt to escape King Herod's persecution. The detailed depiction of the landscape, with palm trees and reeds, creates a sense of realism and emphasizes the journey's arduous nature. This work exemplifies Ghisi's mastery of printmaking, capturing both the emotional weight of the scene and the meticulous details of the figures and their surroundings.