Why it matters
Joseph leads the donkey carrying Mary and the Child down a slope above a vast Alpine river valley. The Holy Family are tiny in the landscape; beside them a pagan idol falls from its shrine as they pass, symbolising Christ's triumph over paganism.
Did you know?
- It was painted in 1563.
- Mary wears an unusual red cloak rather than her traditional blue.
- It follows the 'world landscape' tradition of Joachim Patinir.
Based on the Wikipedia article Landscape with the Flight into Egypt (Bruegel) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
