The flight into Egypt: altered plate from Seghers

The flight into Egypt: altered plate from Seghers is a remarkable example of graphic innovation created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1653. Classified as a print on paper, this work details the biblical narrative of the Holy Family fleeing Bethlehem to escape King Herod’s persecution. The unique nature of the piece stems from Rijn's decision to utilize and heavily alter an existing copper plate originally etched by his admired contemporary, the landscape artist Hercules Seghers.

This practice of reworking another artist's plate was unconventional, yet it allowed Rijn to transform the existing landscape into a deeply moving, nocturnal scene. Rijn meticulously altered the foreground, darkened the surrounding areas, and introduced new lines to shift the focal point toward the illuminated figures of Mary, Joseph, and the Christ Child. The careful management of shadow and light, a hallmark of Rijn’s mature style, emphasizes the perilous journey and the isolation of the travelers, lending the scene a palpable sense of vulnerability.

Dating from the height of the Dutch Golden Age, this print showcases Rijn’s experimental genius and his ongoing fascination with light and dramatic contrasts. The work is considered critical for understanding Rijn’s relationship with Seghers, demonstrating how the master absorbed and redefined the tradition of Dutch landscape prints. This important historical artwork is preserved in the extensive collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it serves as a key reference for scholars studying 17th-century etching. Like many iconic works from this era, high-resolution reproductions of these early prints are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring Rijn’s technical mastery remains accessible for study worldwide.