The Flight into Egypt 1605

Adam Elsheimer's "The Flight into Egypt" (1605) depicts the biblical story of the Holy Family's journey to escape Herod's persecution. The painting captures a moment of quiet determination as Mary, with baby Jesus in her arms, rides a donkey led by Joseph through a rocky landscape. The inclusion of details like the donkey's laden pack and the shepherd tending his flock adds to the realism and sense of immediacy of the scene. Elsheimer's mastery of light and shadow creates a dramatic atmosphere, highlighting the figures and their emotional states against the backdrop of a stormy sky. This small, intimate oil painting exemplifies the artist's innovative use of chiaroscuro and his ability to evoke profound emotion with meticulous detail.