Flight into Egypt 1566

Curator: This is Cornelis Cort’s “Flight into Egypt,” a small but intricate print from the 16th century, now held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels charged with emotion. There is a sense of urgency but also tenderness in the rendering of the figures. Curator: Cort, who lived from 1533 to 1578, excelled at disseminating the designs of other artists through engravings. He aimed to spread artistic ideas. Editor: The angels above offering what look like dates evoke a sense of divine blessing and provisioning during this dangerous journey. Curator: Precisely. The imagery resonates with earlier depictions of the Flight into Egypt but also reflects the visual language of the Counter-Reformation. Editor: This depiction of the Holy Family fleeing Herod’s decree carries a potent symbolic message about refuge and divine protection that still resonates today. Curator: Considering Cort's role in disseminating ideas, it's fascinating to contemplate how this image and others like it influenced popular piety. Editor: Absolutely. This print condenses a wealth of cultural anxieties and spiritual hopes into a single, powerful image.