Giotto, Flight into Egypt, c.1305

This scene from Giotto di Bondone's Life of Christ series in the Arena Chapel depicts Joseph, Mary, and Jesus being led to Egypt by an angel. King Herod has heard of Jesus' birth, and, fearing that the infant will one day depose him, orders that all the boys under the age of two be killed. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, telling him to take his wife and child and flee to Egypt.

Mary and Jesus are the center of this painting. Easily the largest figures in the piece, Mary and Jesus are brought even further into the foreground by the mountain framing them from behind. This same mountain is home to Giotto's signature trees. Giotto creates a sense of depth, using the mountains to suggest a background, layering of the travelers to make a middle and foreground. Note the sloping nature of the path in foreground. It seems to drop off just in the foreground of Jesus' group, furthering the illusion that Giotto has captured a moment in time rather than painted Jesus and his family on a two-dimensional wall.

Giotto also displays mastery of emotional depth. Joseph appears obviously worried, Mary has that intense protective mother look , and the rest of the party are immensely expressive, with faces engaged and hands gesturing.

Giotto organized the fresco symmetrically. The vertical line of the central mountain carries down through the upright body of Mary. The angel in the sky balances the mountain in the left background, and the three travelers on Mary's left balance Joseph and his companion on her right.

Giotto's mastery of the fresco shines through this piece, showing his attention to detail, symmetry, depth, and emotion.