Departure into Egypt (At the Inn)

Henry Ossawa Tanner, Departure into Egypt (At the Inn), n.d., oil on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Robbins, 1983.95.193
Copied Henry Ossawa Tanner, Departure into Egypt (At the Inn), n.d., oil on wood, 21 3818 14 in. (54.446.4 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Robbins, 1983.95.193
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Departure into Egypt (At the Inn)
Date
n.d.
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
21 3818 14 in. (54.446.4 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Robbins
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on wood
Classifications
Keywords
  • Religion — New Testament — Christ
  • Religion — New Testament — Flight into Egypt
Object Number
1983.95.193

Artwork Description

This painting is different from Henry Ossawa Tanner’s other paintings on the same theme, in which the Holy Family flees through the desert to save their son from Herod. In Departure into Egypt (At the Inn), Mary, who holds her newborn, is just starting her journey. The bearded man holding the lantern is not Joseph, but probably the guard who will lead them out of the city.