The Flight into Egypt: a Night Piece 1651

Rembrandt van Rijn made this etching, titled "The Flight into Egypt: a Night Piece," in the Dutch Republic. Here, the biblical family of Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus are depicted fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod's massacre of infants. This was a common subject in art, but Rembrandt renders it with a stark, dramatic intimacy. Notice how the figures emerge from deep shadow, illuminated by the single lantern Joseph carries. The image powerfully evokes the vulnerability and precarity of refugees, something that would have resonated with people living in the Dutch Republic. The Dutch Republic itself was born out of a struggle for independence, and became known as a haven for those fleeing religious persecution. Religious tolerance was promoted although not always practiced. The Republic’s art market was increasingly commercial, but institutions such as the Guild of Saint Luke helped artists maintain standards of quality and protect their economic interests. As historians, we seek to understand how artists like Rembrandt responded to the social, political, and economic conditions of their time. By researching archival documents, contemporary accounts, and the artist's biography, we can better understand the meanings and values embedded in this seemingly simple image.