“The Flight into Egypt,” created by Tintoretto between 1582 and 1587, is an oil on canvas masterpiece spanning 422 by 580 centimeters. This work is a religious painting from the Mannerism (Late Renaissance) art movement. The artwork vividly depicts the biblical narrative of the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt.
The artwork showcases a dynamic and dramatic composition typical of Mannerist style. At the center, the Virgin Mary, clothed in blue and red, gently cradles the infant Jesus while seated on a donkey. Joseph, appearing aged and determined, leads the donkey through a dark and heavily wooded path, suggesting the urgency and peril of their flight. The landscape is lush and dense, bathed in a mix of twilight hues, emphasizing the contrast between light and shadow. In the background, a serene stream mirrors the surrounding foliage, adding depth and tranquility to the scene. Architectural elements and distant hills are visible, creating a sense of expansive space and the arduous journey ahead. This painting captures both the human tenderness of the Holy Family and the dramatic urgency of their divine mission.
