Fotoreproductie van het schilderij De vlucht naar Egypte door Claude Lorrain before 1875

This is an undated photographic reproduction of Claude Lorrain's painting, "The Flight into Egypt" by an anonymous artist. The original painting depicts a biblical scene where Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus flee to Egypt to escape King Herod's infanticide. The anonymous photographer captures not just the image, but also echoes the themes of displacement, seeking refuge, and the disruption of traditional family structures. Lorrain's work reflects a 17th-century idealization of landscapes, but here it's mediated through the lens of photography, raising questions about authenticity and reproduction. What does it mean to reproduce an image of a family in flight, seeking asylum? The act of photographing this painting adds another layer to the narrative. It invites us to consider the historical and ongoing experiences of refugees and migrants, their journeys, and the universal desire for safety and belonging. How does the emotional weight of the original scene shift or intensify through its photographic reproduction?