Spanish school; 17th century.

Spanish school; 17th century.
"The return from the flight to Egypt".
Oil on canvas.
Measurements: 131 x 150 cm.
This scene represents a less frequent episode of the cycle of the childhood of Christ, centered in the return of the Holy Family after the exile, and it does it following in a clear way a compositional model of Rubenian root, very diffused in Spain through engravings and copies.
The scene is articulated by means of a dynamic and enveloping composition, in which the figures show a continuous movement that guides the viewer's gaze. The Virgin, carrying the Child, occupies the visual axis of the work, while St. Joseph advances with a protective gesture, integrating the characters in a wide and lively landscape. This spatial organization, with a strong narrative and theatrical sense, refers directly to the solutions developed by Pedro Pablo Rubens, characterized by the vitality of the figures, the gestural richness and the sensation of transit and action.
From the stylistic point of view, the work combines Flemish dynamism with features typical of Spanish painting of the sixteenth century. The figures present a restrained naturalism, with expressive faces and close attitudes, while the color is used in a warm and contrasting way, emphasizing the earthy tones and the luminous accents in the draperies. The brushstroke, looser than in the more austere Hispanic tradition, reinforces the impression of movement and vitality, without losing the devotional character of the scene.