The Flight into Egypt

The Flight into Egypt is an oil painting that depicts the Holy Family's escape through a Roman landscape. The composition uses diagonal arrangement and measures 97 by 133 centimeters.

Nicolas Poussin created this work in 1657 or 1658 when he was an established artist living in Rome. Classical art and architecture in his surroundings shaped his compositional approach at that time.

The painting shows the biblical story from the Gospel of Matthew, where the Holy Family escapes from King Herod's persecution. The figures move through a classical landscape that combines the sacred narrative with imposing Roman structures.

The painting is located at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon and was jointly acquired by the Louvre and this museum. Visitors should take time to carefully observe the details of the composition and landscape elements.

The composition separates sacred and earthly space through diagonal arrangement of the figures. Each character is depicted with distinct gestures and expressions that together tell the story of spiritual journey.

Inception: 1658

Creator: Нікаля Пусэн

Height: 97 cm

Width: 133 cm

Subject: Holy Family, Christ Child, Joseph, Mary, donkey, Chemin, angel, broad-leaved tree, oak, herder, building, column, entablature, overground still body of fresh water, riparian forest, mountain, sky, cloud, horizon, eagle, man, woman, boy, mother, bird's wing, flight, aerial perspective, walking

Made from material: oil paint, canvas

GPS coordinates: 48.86109,2.33575

Latest update: December 21, 2025 21:11