Flight into Egypt

Henry Ossawa Tanner, Flight into Egypt, ca. 1916-1922, oil on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Robbins, 1983.95.202
Copied 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
Free to use

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 — road
  • Animal — donkey
  • Religion — New Testament — Christ
  • Religion — New Testament — Mary
  • Landscape — celestial — moon
  • Religion — New Testament — Flight into Egypt
  • Religion — New Testament — Joseph
  • Landscape — celestial — moon
Object Number
1983.95.202
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/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.