Realization: Hallé, Noël (1711 - 1781) (Painter)
Flight to Egypt
Flight to Egypt
Realization : 1759
Area: Painting
Technique(s): Canvas (oil painting)
Dimensions : H. 291 cm ; W. 193.5 cm ; D. 5 cm
Inventory no.: PE.493
Photo credit(s) :
Lauginie, François
Cartel
The Gospel according to Saint Matthew recounts the episode in which Herod, King of Judea, warned of the birth of a new "King of the Jews", and fearing the loss of his power, decided to massacre the newborn babies of his country (Massacre of the Innocents). Warned of this threat in a dream, Joseph fled to Egypt with the infant Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The painting depicts the long journey undertaken by the Holy Family, under the protection of a few angels in the sky, in a vast landscape that underlines the solitude of the travelers. The donkey carries the Virgin on her back, wrapping her Son in a large cloak, while Joseph looks on with a bundle on his shoulder.
This work, emblematic of Noël Hallé's talent, received a lukewarm reception at the Salon of 1759. Diderot himself says he only remembers it from leafing through the exhibition booklet.
The stable composition, the movement of the figures, accompanied by that of their drapery, the airy atmosphere enhanced by subtle light, as well as the chromatic range of gray-blue animated by highlights of color and the broad brushstroke are all characteristic of this artist. A member of a dynasty of painters, Noël Hallé received his first training from his father Claude-Guy. After winning the Grand Prix, he moved to the Eternal City as a boarder at the Académie de France, where he later served as director. A multi-talented artist, Noël Hallé worked in all genres (genre scenes, history, portraits), revealing his talents as a director and decorator.
The Musée du Louvre holds a sketch of the painting, from the Othon Kaufmann and François Schlageter donation (1983), which shows a few variations from the Orléans canvas.
Provenance
Commissioned by the Benedictines for the monastery church of Notre-Dame de Bonne-Nouvelle in Orléans.
Salon of 1759.
Seized during the French Revolution.
Deposited in the Sainte-Croix d'Orléans cathedral.
Transfer from Sainte-Croix cathedral to Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Orléans, 1825.
School
France
Location
Museum of Fine Arts
1st floor
Room: Le château de Richelieu La grande peinture religieurse (XVIIe-XVIIIe siècle)