Vlucht naar Egypte 1660

This print, "Flight into Egypt" was etched by Jan van Ossenbeeck in the 17th century. The composition presents a harmonious blend of organic and geometric forms that arrests the eye. Ossenbeeck uses line and form to tell the story, guiding us through the landscape. Notice how he uses a tight network of lines in the foreground figures. This contrasts sharply with the looser, more open marks used to depict the distant landscape. This stylistic choice suggests a deep engagement with visual semiotics, highlighting the narrative's central figures against a backdrop of natural splendor. It also emphasizes an awareness of structural oppositions. Through the density and direction of lines, Ossenbeeck not only depicts depth and texture but also evokes an emotional resonance, emphasizing the human element within a vast, indifferent world. This print invites us to interpret the relationship between the sacred story and its earthly stage.