Vlucht naar Egypte 1930

Curator: This etching, entitled "Flight into Egypt," was created by Lodewijk Schelfhout in 1930. It's part of the Rijksmuseum's collection. Editor: Oh, wow, there's a stillness in this print despite the title’s implication of hurried movement. The landscape almost vibrates. Curator: Schelfhout was working within a modernist context, and his landscapes often explore themes of displacement and refuge, ideas certainly relevant during the interwar period. The flight to Egypt is a recurring subject in art history and biblical narrative. The story tells of how Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt with the infant Jesus to escape King Herod’s infanticide. What strikes me is how the socio-political element of the Holy Family as refugees remains relevant. Editor: Absolutely, and I'm drawn to the almost dreamlike quality—that halo seems both ethereal and like a target. She doesn't look serene but very determined. It really messes with my preconceived notions of the familiar scene. I also love the bold lines of the vegetation in contrast with the soft shading of the figure. It creates tension. Curator: This etching provides a critical lens through which we can examine power dynamics and resistance. The artist places the figures into an environment of sharp lines to portray uncertainty and tension. By focusing on this moment of exodus, we are confronted with the continuous cycle of displacement in human history. This depiction humanizes the refugee crisis and confronts viewers with questions of empathy. Editor: Thinking of those harsh lines again, it almost seems as though nature is acting as both shelter and adversary. Are those agave plants trying to protect them, or block their path? I guess it's up to us to decide, or rather, consider the duality of forced migration. Curator: This duality emphasizes the precarious nature of refuge and the constant negotiation refugees must undertake in order to survive in alien settings. Art such as this gives voice to those that have been traditionally pushed to the margins. Editor: I’m seeing how a familiar image can still resonate with such weight. Schelfhout takes something established and cracks it open to new meanings. Curator: Indeed, seeing it from new angles allows a historical narrative to hold space for current conversations on migration. Editor: It becomes a conversation, and that’s really powerful.