Flight to Egypt

The Flight to Egypt is Kirchner’s third oldest work in this park after Seated Woman (1935) and Abraham the Wanderer (1957). It depicts the Holy Family: Mary riding a donkey, Jesus and Joseph. Fleeing from Herod, who wants to kill the child, they are on their way to Egypt. In contrast to the traditional representation of this story from the Gospel of Matthew, the Child Jesus is not in the arms of Mary. Instead, he is enthroned in an arched shrine above his parents who have their arms raised in adoration. Kirchner is referring here to the Saviour Jesus Christ, the Messiah sent as the Son of God. The group is framed and protected by an angel, which forms the top of the relief.