The Flight into Egypt: Crossing a Brook

The Flight into Egypt: Crossing a Brook, created in 1654 by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669, is a profound example of the artist’s mastery of graphic media. This seminal print was rendered using the demanding techniques of etching and drypoint on ivory laid paper, allowing Rembrandt to achieve a remarkable range of tonal depth and atmospheric texture rarely seen in 17th-century printmaking.

Rembrandt employed the drypoint needle to create dense, velvety burr, contrasting sharply with the fine, etched lines that delineate the shadowed environment. The work captures the crucial moment when the Holy Family, fleeing Herod’s decree, navigates a dangerous, darkened landscape, emphasizing the vulnerability of Mary, Joseph, and the Christ Child as they cross a shadowed stream. This dramatic use of chiaroscuro to heighten emotional intensity is a hallmark of Rembrandt’s late style.

The subject matter, drawing from the New Testament narrative, reflects the era's engagement with religious themes, even within the Protestant milieu of the Netherlands during the Dutch Golden Age. Unlike earlier interpretations, Rembrandt strips the scene down to its human core, focusing on the exhaustion and determination of the figures against the looming darkness.

As one of the most significant figures in the history of Dutch art, Rembrandt frequently returned to subjects that allowed him to explore the intersection of the sacred and the mundane through technically sophisticated compositions. The technical complexity and emotional power of this print ensure its status as a highly sought-after work. This impression is held in the renowned permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing to the scholarship and public domain availability of the master’s crucial prints.