1595_Flight_into_Egypt_Caravaggio.txt

http://www.artbible.info/art/large/424.html

Caravaggio 1573 – 1610
Flight into Egypt

oil on canvas (130 × 160 cm) — c. 1595
Galleria Doria Pamphilj, Rome

Caravaggio biography

This work is linked to Matthew 2:14

An angel had warned Joseph about Herod's plans to have his newborn son killed. The Holy Family fled into Egypt; here they are shown resting. Their means of transport, a donkey, watches them from the background.

The music that Joseph holds in his hands was written by Noel Bauldewijn in honor of Mary: Quam pulchra es, How beautiful you are (based on a verse in the Song of Songs). The heavenly atmosphere is strengthened by the fact that the violin is played by an angel.