Flight into Egypt c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have an intriguing drawing, titled Flight into Egypt. Its creator is unknown, but it resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks so delicate, almost ephemeral. The thin lines seem to capture a moment of frantic energy. Curator: Indeed. Consider the socio-political context of the Holy Family fleeing persecution—the threat of violence, the precarity of their existence, all rendered with such vulnerable lines. Editor: And look at the donkey, the very means of their escape. The artist uses such a flurry of lines to bring it to life as if the animal’s labor were the focus. It makes you wonder about the unseen and often unacknowledged toils behind every supposed miracle. Curator: Precisely. This piece speaks volumes about power, survival, and the unspoken narratives that shape our understanding of history. Editor: A simple sketch, perhaps, but rich with layers of meaning and material implications.