The flight into Egypt: a sketch: St Joseph

"The flight into Egypt: a sketch: St Joseph" by Rembrandt van Rijn is an intimate graphic work created around 1628. Executed on paper and classified as an early print, the work demonstrates Rijn's nascent interest in exploring biblical narratives through the medium of etching or similar graphic techniques. The classification of the piece as a "sketch" suggests the artist’s focus on the immediacy of composition and execution rather than highly finished detail, offering insight into his working method during the early phase of the Dutch Golden Age.

The artwork centers on the figure of Saint Joseph during the traditional narrative of the Holy Family’s escape from Herod’s persecution. While many depictions of the Flight emphasize Mary and the Christ child, this study specifically isolates Joseph, capturing his demeanor and conveying the quiet burdens and responsibilities of the protector figure. This early period of Rijn’s career saw him experimenting extensively with line work and shadow, and even in this relatively rapid print, the influence of Baroque chiaroscuro is evident in the subtle rendering of form using varied line densities.

This significant work is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it serves as a valuable record of Rijn's evolving printmaking skills. As a historical document from one of the most celebrated printmakers of the 17th century, the image is extensively studied. Along with many other works from this period, high-resolution prints of the sketch are often found in the public domain, making the master’s preliminary graphic ideas accessible for scholarly research and appreciation worldwide.