The Flight into Egypt
c. 1540
Joseph looks like he's navigating a tricky commute in this energetic 1540 sketch by Domenico Campagnola. Leading a donkey across a rickety wooden bridge, he guides Mary and baby Jesus away from danger, while a curious cow watches from the bushes. Campagnola, a master of the Venetian Renaissance, was famous for his landscapes, and you can see why here—the tall, swaying palm tree (referencing the miracle where it bent down to feed the family) and fluffy clouds steal the show. The scratchy, rapid lines give the whole scene a sense of urgent movement, as if they are fleeing right off the page.
- Technique
- Pen and brown ink
- Material
- Paper