Vlucht naar Egypte c. 1550 - 1650

This engraving, whose author remains unknown, depicts the Flight into Egypt, a scene laden with symbolic weight. The Virgin Mary, carrying the infant Jesus, rides a donkey led by Joseph, escaping the infanticide ordered by King Herod. The donkey itself is a potent symbol. Often associated with humility and service, it contrasts sharply with the horses of conquerors, suggesting a spiritual journey rather than a worldly one. We see echoes of this motif in countless other works, from medieval tapestries to Renaissance paintings, each time infused with the emotional weight of vulnerability and hope. Consider the way the donkey appears in ancient Near Eastern art, bearing kings, and how this imagery has been transformed. The Christian narrative reconfigures the symbol of power into a symbol of quiet resistance. This transformation speaks to our collective unconscious, touching on primal themes of protection, flight, and the enduring power of maternal love. It’s a reminder of how symbols evolve, carrying layers of meaning across centuries, engaging us on a subconscious level.