Vlucht naar Egypte: nachtstuk

Vlucht naar Egypte: nachtstuk by Rembrandt van Rijn, created in 1651, is a powerful graphic work depicting the biblical Flight into Egypt. The subject captures the Holy Family traversing a dark, rugged landscape under the cover of night as they flee the persecution ordered by King Herod. This piece, executed on paper, exemplifies Rijn’s mastery of chiaroscuro and dramatic illumination, a defining characteristic of his mature style.

Rijn was profoundly skilled in translating complex narrative subjects into the exacting medium of printmaking. The term "nachtstuk," or night piece, signals the artist’s deliberate use of deep shadow to heighten the emotional intensity of the scene. The figures of Mary and the infant Jesus are sharply focused, illuminated by a localized, warm light source that cuts through the surrounding darkness. This technique forces the viewer’s attention onto the vulnerability of the fugitives and their dependence on divine guidance.

Classified formally as a Book within the museum records, this artwork reflects the versatile nature of graphic arts during the Dutch Golden Age, where illustrations and individual prints were often collected and bound. As a prolific producer of accessible prints and etchings, Rijn understood the wide reach of reproducible artwork, ensuring his compositions reached audiences far beyond private collectors. The enduring quality of this master's graphic technique has ensured the longevity of his work, and today, fine examples like this are frequently available through public domain archives. This essential historical document of 17th-century religious art is preserved in the extensive collection of the Rijksmuseum.