Henry Ossawa Tanner, Flight into Egypt, ca. 1916-1922, oil on wood, 16 7⁄8 x 16 7⁄8 in. (43.0 x 43.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Robbins, 1983.95.202
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Flight into Egypt
- Artist
- Date
- ca. 1916-1922
- Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 16 7⁄8 x 16 7⁄8 in. (43.0 x 43.0 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Robbins
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- oil on wood
- Classifications
- Subjects
- Landscape — celestial — moon
- Landscape — celestial — moon
- Landscape — road
- Animal — donkey
- Religion — New Testament — Joseph
- Religion — New Testament — Flight into Egypt
- Religion — New Testament — Christ
- Religion — New Testament — Mary
- Object Number
- 1983.95.202
Artwork Description
Henry Ossawa Tanner's trip to the Middle East in 1897 probably inspired this scene of the flight into Egypt. The story of the Holy Family fleeing Herod's wrath was a favorite of Tanner's, who created as many as fifteen works on the theme. In this painting, Mary and the donkey are barely discernible, with the suggestion of a figure representing Joseph behind them. Moonlight illuminates the path for the family to follow. Tanner's own experience of racism in the United States, which motivated him to move to Paris, may have led him to identify with the persecuted Holy Family.
