PROVENANCE: Pope Paul V (?); Durlacher Brothers, New York, 1933; Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 1934; Julius Weitzner, New York, 1958; BJU, 1958.

When Domenico Fiasella traveled to Rome in 1607 to partake of its large artistic patronage, he became known as "Il Sarzana" after the town of his birth. The Flight into Egypt was painted while the artist was still in Rome, when Caravaggio's influence was most recognizable.

Joseph fled to Egypt with Mary and the Christ Child after being warned in a dream that Herod wanted to find Jesus and kill him. Fiasella gives us a realistic, down-to-earth treatment of this journey. The family is seen walking along a pathway, Mary steadying Jesus with her embrace and Joseph carrying the supplies and leading the donkey. The family's humility, obedience, and trust in God is subtly achieved in this masterful work.