Escape to Egypt by Giotto di Bondone

Escape to Egypt by Giotto di Bondone

On the south wall of the chapel, under the frescoes dedicated to the history of Anna and Joachim, in the apertures between the windows five scenes from the childhood of Jesus were written. These include the scene of the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt. Against the backdrop of a bare rocky landscape, a small group of travelers is portrayed, it is directed to where the angel hovering above them points.

In front comes Joseph in a buff-yellow cloak, he talks with the boy leading under the knot of the donkey, so his gaze is turned back, into the space of the picture. In the center of the composition is depicted the dignified Mary with the baby sitting on the donkey. Heavy folds of red robes and once a blue cloak, a straight landing and a high triangular rock monolith in the background underscore the closedness of the central figure.

In contrast to the static character of this figure, the image of the donkey, following the ancient tradition of transferring the movement of stepping horses, informs the picture of a certain dynamics. It is also enhanced by the lively gesticulation of the three young men accompanying the Holy Family. Their figures balance the composition on the left. The drama of the scene is felt in the clear profile of Mary’s concerned face, in a barren environment, in her whole figure, written in rigid lines. However, the olive trees and the figure of the soaring angel, green on the slope of bare rock, are symbols of hope.

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