The Flight into Egypt 1809

Peter Colonia created this canvas painting, “The Flight into Egypt”, sometime in the 1700s. The artist uses oil paint, a material prized for its ability to mimic textures, capture light, and create a sense of depth on a two-dimensional surface. Look closely at the painting and you will see how Colonia builds up layers of paint to achieve the luminosity of the moonlit sky and the soft folds of the figures' garments. Oil paint, though refined, ultimately comes from humble materials: pigments ground from minerals and plants, mixed with linseed oil, and applied with brushes made from animal hair. This process of creation is labour-intensive. It reflects a significant investment of time and skill, and this informs our understanding of the artwork's value and social context. By focusing on the materials and making of this painting, we can better understand its full meaning and significance.