The flight into Egypt: altered plate from Seghers

The flight into Egypt: altered plate from Seghers by Rembrandt van Rijn, dated 1653, is a superb example of the artist’s prolific printmaking career. Classified as an etching and drypoint executed on paper, this work is notable for being an alteration of an existing copper plate, originally created by his esteemed predecessor, Hercules Segers.

This practice of reworking prior plates was common in 17th-century Dutch print culture, but Rijn’s intervention dramatically transformed the composition. He utilized Segers's expressive, atmospheric landscape as a foundation, then meticulously added the figures of the Holy Family mid-journey, shifting the subject from a pure landscape study to a poignant narrative of biblical flight. This process showcases Rijn's mastery of the medium, employing burin and drypoint to deepen the shadows and highlight the central figures, emphasizing the isolation and vulnerability inherent in the story.

Rijn's treatment of light, central to his graphic work, creates a powerful chiaroscuro effect, where the landscape recedes into darkness, contrasting sharply with the illuminated figures. This specific print resides within the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it serves as a critical document of the artist's inventive adaptation techniques and his significant contribution to the history of prints. Today, important graphic works such as this are frequently made available through public domain initiatives, allowing broader access to Rijn’s profound theological and artistic vision.