The Flight into Egypt
Abraham Jansz. van Diepenbeeck·c. 1650
Historical Context
Abraham Jansz. van Diepenbeeck painted this Flight into Egypt around 1650, one of his religious paintings produced alongside his more famous work as a designer of stained glass and book illustrations. Van Diepenbeeck was trained in Rubens's circle and became one of the most prolific designers in the Southern Netherlands, producing cartoons for tapestries and windows as well as easel paintings. His Flight into Egypt reflects the continuing Rubensian influence on Flemish Baroque painting.
Technical Analysis
Van Diepenbeeck's oil on panel demonstrates the dynamic composition and warm palette inherited from the Rubens school. The landscape setting and the fluid treatment of the figures reflect the decorative energy of Flemish Baroque painting applied to a standard devotional subject.
Provenance
Fondatie Terninck in the parish of Saint George, Antwerp, by about 1748, [with four other grisailles by Diepenbeeck according to De Bosschere 1910, p. 147, reprinting the manuscript description of Jacob de Wit from about 1748; see also Steadman 1982]; probably dispersed by 1767 [Steadman 1982]. Michael Straus (died 1943), Hinsdale, Illinois, possibly from 1893 [a letter of December 18, 1963 from his son Michael W. Straus to John Maxon states that his father had acquired the painting, then attributed to Anthony van Dyck, in connection with his role in the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, copy in curatorial file]; by descent to Michael W. Straus, Washington, D.C.; given to the Art Institute, 1963.
