Flight into Egypt, a round composition 1657 - 1667

This is Stefano della Bella’s "Flight into Egypt," an etching on paper, and the first thing you'll notice is the unusual circular composition, a 'tondo' which softens the narrative and invites closer viewing. The scene teems with texture, achieved through a complex web of etched lines. The artist’s cross-hatching creates depth and shadow, most notably in the dense foliage and the drapery folds. Notice how the figures are delicately rendered, with an almost ethereal quality emphasized by the cherubic faces peeking from behind the trees and clouds. Della Bella destabilizes the traditional religious narrative through the use of form. The circular frame almost domesticates the holy scene. The softness of the etched line and the cherubic figures contrast with the gravity of the flight into Egypt, challenging the viewer's expectations of religious art. The composition suggests a cyclical journey, one of perpetual escape and search for refuge, resonating beyond its immediate biblical context.