Fra Bartolomeo (1472–1517), The Rest on The Flight into
Egypt (circa 1500), tempera and oil on canvas, Palazzo Vescovile (Italy) ■ The flight into Egypt is a biblical
event described in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 2:13-23), in which Joseph
fled to Egypt with his wife Mary and infant son Jesus after a visit by Magi
because they learn that King Herod intends to kill the infants of that area.
The episode is frequently shown in art, as the final episode of the Nativity of
Jesus in art, and was a common component in cycles of the Life of the Virgin as
well as the Life of Christ ■