Rust op de vlucht naar Egypte 1620 - 1664

This small, anonymous print at the Rijksmuseum depicts the Virgin Mary, the infant Jesus, and Saint Joseph pausing during their flight into Egypt. The image is striking for the tender way that Mary cradles her child, offering us an intimate glimpse into the lives of these holy figures. Prints like this one, from the Netherlands, were inexpensive and portable. The image is from a story that was well-known at the time, in which the Holy Family flees to Egypt to escape King Herod's order to kill all male infants in Bethlehem. This was a period of religious conflict in the Netherlands, and this particular image probably reflects an increased interest in personal piety. The family's escape, their vulnerability, and their ultimate safety would have resonated with individuals, and perhaps even served as a metaphor for the experiences of the Protestant minority. To better understand the place of this image in the broader culture, we can consult period books, pamphlets, and sermons. This will help us to explore the intersection of religious belief, artistic expression, and social identity in the Dutch Golden Age.