Flight to Egypt

The Flight to Egypt is a biblical event in the life of Christ and is described in the Gospel of Mathew (2:13-23) in which Saint Joseph fled to Egypt with the Virgin Mary and the Holy Infant, after a visit by the The Magi when they learned of King Herod's intent to slaughter male babies in order to kill the newborn "King of the Jews." This 18th century Cuzqueño devotional work places the holy persons en route with various narratives taking place. In the upper left area of the painting, the Roman soldiers sent by Herod, question the harvesters in their fields; while the Virgin sits on a donkey and feeds the Holy Child whose holy presence causes a date tree to bend its branches so that Saint Joseph could pick dates for their nourishment. Accompanying the holy trio is the Archangel Gabriel to offer protection. Ever the ideal spouse, Saint Joseph carries a stalk of lilies and both dotes on and guides mother and child to safety through what may prove a long journey. This is alluded to in the pilgrim's hats both the Virgin and Saint Joseph wear. The surrounding flora and fauna are typically Andean and reflect the interest of the native artist to render his commission in a new visual language.