The Flight Into Egypt

Made in Madrid toward the end of Tiepolo’s life, this painting is one of his most refined. It combines an innovative, asymmetrical composition that takes advantage of empty space and a cool palette animated with quivering outlines of the landscape, rockface, prostrate angel, and Holy Family. The Virgin is monumental as she protectively enwraps her son, far exceeding the work’s modest scale. The family has just disembarked from a boat that ferried them across the Nile river, though this imaginary topography seems more inspired by the Alps than by Egypt.

The flight into Egypt is a story recounted in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 2:13–23) and in New Testament apocrypha. Soon after the visit by the Magi, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him to flee to Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus since King Herod would seek the child to kill him.

This painting is on view at The Met Fifth Avenue. It is an oil on canvas and measures 23 5/8 × 16 1/4 in. (60 × 41.3 cm)