The Flight Into Egypt c. 1864

Jean-François Millet's "The Flight Into Egypt" (c. 1864) is a black and white lithograph depicting the biblical story of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod's wrath. This artwork, now housed in The Art Institute of Chicago, showcases Millet's signature style of depicting the hardships of rural life, even in a religious subject. The dark, shadowy figures against a barely visible night sky, and the simple forms, evoke a sense of solemn journey, mirroring the artist's interest in the struggles of the working class. This lithograph exemplifies Millet's transition from Realism towards a more symbolic and spiritual approach.