Repose on the Flight into Egypt 1922

Editor: This is Glyn Warren Philpot's "Repose on the Flight into Egypt," currently at the Tate. It's a large painting, and the figures feel almost sculptural. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Notice how Philpot contrasts the traditional religious subject matter with unconventional figures and a surreal landscape. This challenges our expectations. How does the materiality of paint itself, applied in broad strokes, contribute to this effect, distancing it from the preciousness often associated with religious art? Editor: I see what you mean. It does feel very grounded, less ethereal. Curator: Exactly. And consider the social context: Philpot painted this during a period of significant social upheaval. How might the painting's ambiguous narrative reflect anxieties about tradition and modernity? Editor: So, it's not just about the biblical story, but also about Philpot's world. That's fascinating! Curator: Precisely. It invites us to think about the production of meaning itself.