Magyar Egyház, 1977 (56. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1977-12-01 / 12. szám
THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT By Eugene Girardet (Interpretation) In this painting by the French artist, Eugene Girardet, oi the middle of the nineteenth century, we have one of the most artistic portrayals of that long and wearisome journey which Joseph and Mary made into Egypt, fleeing in the night from the wrath of Herod the King, who had sent forth an edict that would have meant the death of this new-born Child of Promise had they not heeded the Heavenly Messenger’s warning. The artist has chosen the sandy desert of Egypt as the background for this study in fatigue and weariness, which the parents of the Christ Child must have undergone in that long, slow, and perilous journey to a land of safety for their first-born Son. These two weary travelers have long since left behind the land of their nativity, and are journeying over the interminable desert of sand that intervenes between Palestine and the flourishing Valley of the Nile toward which they are slowly wending their way. That they are approaching the end of that long journey is evident from the distant pyramids in the background. The artist, true to the desert custom, shows these weary footsore immigrants as traveling by night to avoid the burning rays of the desert sun. The starless sky would seem to indicate that the dawn of another day is close at hand. Beside the patient donkey walks the aged Joseph. With one hand he clasps the bundle of their precious burden of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, while, with his staff plunged into the soft sand, be trudges silently the weary miles that still separate them from the peace and protection of Egypt. Every line of the faces and figures of Mary and Joseph, as well as of the posture of their faithful burro, indicate the fatigue and weariness of body, mind, and heart that have resulted from this hurriedly-prepared-for, secret journey into this distant, unknown land. As we look at the pyramids in the background, we cannot help but wish that they were nearer, for that would mean that this long journey is nearer its end than it otherwise can be. As we look at Giradet’s picture we cannot but feel that the end of that long perilous journey is near. Perhaps it is early morning of the last day. At least the stars have disappeared and Mary has released her mantilla and thrown it up over both her own head and that of the sleeping child as though to shield them both from the heat of the returning dawn. Even the donkey seems to sense the fact that the end is near at hand, as with head down and ears thrown back he pushes sturdily on through the last wearisome miles to the shelter of the trees along the Valley of the Nile. Joseph, too, seems to be able to walk and carry a portion of the family’s pack with just the aid of his staff. The scarf partially covering his face also indicates an effort to protect his eyes from the glare of daytime traveling in desert lands. As we study Girardet’s “The Flight into Egypt,” we feel like sounding forth a song of joy because just over the raise that separates them from the nearest pyramid is Egypt. Soon it will be reached and the perils of the desert, at least, for this family of the line of David will be over. The warning of the angel to "Take the young child and flee into Egypt” will have been heeded; and this first-born Child of Promise will he permitted to grow up under the protection of the land of the Sphinx and the pyramids, until such time as the Holy Family can, with safety, return to their native land.
