The Flight into Egypt, from The Life of the Virgin, from the Latin Edition

The Flight into Egypt, from The Life of the Virgin, from the Latin Edition by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1511, is a masterful example of Northern Renaissance woodcut artistry. This print belongs to one of Dürer’s most significant graphic series, The Life of the Virgin, a cycle produced between 1500 and 1511 that cemented his reputation as Europe’s leading graphic artist. The specific designation "from the Latin Edition" refers to the comprehensive religious texts printed alongside the images, intended for scholarly and religious audiences across the continent.

The artwork captures the perilous biblical journey of the Holy Family, forced to flee to safety after receiving a warning about King Herod. Dürer focuses intently on the narrative details and movement of the party; Joseph guides them forward while the Virgin Mary rides serenely upon a sturdy donkey, cradling the infant Christ. The meticulous rendering of the forest environment demonstrates Dürer’s revolutionary approach to the woodcut medium. He employed sophisticated cross-hatching and nuanced line work, traditionally reserved for copper engraving, to achieve remarkable depth and textural variation in the vegetation and drapery.

This series was crucial to the widespread dissemination of Dürer’s influential style throughout the 16th century. The sheer volume and quality of these religious prints ensured their accessibility and public distribution far beyond the scope of traditional painting. This exceptional impression of the work currently resides in the extensive collection of prints at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Owing to its age and historical importance, reproductions of The Flight into Egypt are frequently made available for public domain use, continuing the legacy of this German Renaissance master.