Artwork Page for The Flight into Egypt

Details / Information for The Flight into Egypt

The Flight into Egypt

c. 1590

Gregorio Pagani

(Italian, 1558–1605)
Culture
Italy, 16th century
Medium
pen and brown ink and wash, heightened with white, over black chalk, on beige paper
Measurements
Sheet: 39.9 x 25 cm (15 11/16 x 9 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 2015.67
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Description

In this composition, Gregorio Pagani remained close to the New Testament account of the final episode of Christ’s nativity (Matthew 2:13–23), in which Joseph, Mary, and infant Jesus fled into Egypt after learning that King Herod intended to kill all the male infants of Jerusalem. Staff in hand, Joseph forges ahead while Mary and Jesus follow behind on a donkey. Fluttering angels hover above; one at the left urges the Holy Family onward. Pagani was commissioned by the Médicis to create decorative schemes for their celebrations, and especially for altarpieces for churches and convents, but few of his paintings have survived. He is best known for highly finished, fully realized drawings such as this example in pristine condition.
A vertically oriented pen and ink drawing with white highlights on beige paper depicts people with light skin tones during the Flight into Egypt. Within an arched border, Mary holds baby Christ while riding a donkey led toward our left by Joseph. Two winged angels fly overhead clutching branches, followed by a trail of smaller figures. In the background on our right, tiny figures struggle among ruins, all rendered with fine lines and highlights.

The Flight into Egypt

c. 1590

Gregorio Pagani

(Italian, 1558–1605)
Italy, 16th century

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