The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin – The Flight into Egypt Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528)

Here we observe a scene depicting a family journeying across a rugged landscape. A woman, draped in blue and pink garments and encircled by a radiant halo, cradles an infant within her arms. She is seated atop a donkey, which carries them forward along a path strewn with stones. Beside her, a bearded man, clad in earth-toned attire and wearing a broad-brimmed hat, leans on a staff, guiding the animal.
The composition emphasizes movement and displacement. The donkey’s gait suggests an urgent departure, its legs positioned as if mid-stride. The terrain itself – a steep incline punctuated by rocky outcrops and dense foliage – reinforces this sense of travel and hardship. A distant figure, seemingly female and similarly draped in white, is visible on the left side of the composition, partially obscured by a tall tree trunk; her presence hints at separation or abandonment.
The color palette contributes to the overall mood. The blues and pinks used for the woman’s clothing offer a contrast against the muted browns and greens of the landscape, drawing attention to her figure and highlighting her perceived purity amidst the harshness of their surroundings. The infants skin tone is rendered with delicate detail, emphasizing his vulnerability.
Subtleties within the scene suggest deeper meanings. The man’s posture – leaning heavily on his staff – implies a burden beyond the physical weight of the journey; it could represent responsibility or weariness. The rocky path symbolizes the trials and tribulations inherent in their flight. The distant figure evokes themes of loss, exile, and the disruption of established order.
The artist has employed a perspective that places the viewer directly within the scene, fostering a sense of immediacy and shared experience with the depicted figures. This technique encourages contemplation on the themes of refuge, protection, and the enduring strength of familial bonds in the face of adversity.