Vlucht naar Egypte 1811 - 1839

Pieter Roosing etched this small plate titled, "Flight into Egypt". It depicts Mary and Jesus escaping Herod’s decree. The image pulses with primal fears, a mother fleeing with her child, guided by Joseph through a darkened wood. This motif of the perilous journey resonates across epochs; we find echoes in ancient Egyptian art with Isis protecting Horus in the marshes, and in countless Renaissance paintings of the Madonna and Child. The donkey carries not just their meager possessions, but also the weight of hope and survival. In antiquity, the donkey was often a symbol of humility and service, but here, it transcends mere utility. It becomes an emblem of endurance. The image's emotional core lies in the universal human drive to protect the vulnerable, a theme that reverberates through our collective consciousness, stirring deep-seated instincts of care and preservation.