The Flight Into Egypt c. 1864

Jean-François Millet rendered "The Flight into Egypt" using etching. Here, the Holy Family journeys through darkness, guided only by faith. Mary, radiant with child, sits astride a donkey led by Joseph. Consider the donkey, a humble beast of burden since antiquity. It appears in numerous cultures, often symbolizing patience, service, and the journey of the everyman. Yet, in other contexts, the donkey has been ridiculed, a symbol of stubbornness or foolishness. Note the stars above, navigation points and potent symbols in Christianity, harking back to ancient astrology where stars dictated fate. Across cultures, stars have guided travelers and symbolized divine presence, connecting us to ancestral myths. Millet’s etching taps into this collective memory, evoking deep-seated emotions tied to hope and divine protection, emotions so powerful they resonate through centuries. The Flight continues, its symbols ever evolving.