Vittore Carpaccio
The Flight into Egypt

Mary:

How much farther, Joseph? The baby is growing restless!

Joseph:

We've only just left.

Cat:

Left... for Egypt. Joseph, Mary and the new-born baby Jesus are on the run. Mary is now a grown woman and has just given birth to a child. She knows that cruel King Herod is having all new-born baby boys killed. That's because Herod found out about a prophecy that claimed the next king was being born. So he thought to himself: ‘If I have this next king murdered as soon as he's born, then I can stay on as king myself.'

Except there was one thing he didn't understand: Jesus, Mary's son, has no interest in overthrowing Herod. He's not going to be a king who rules a country, but the king of a new religion: Christianity.

Nevertheless, the three of them still have to flee. To Egypt, where they'll be safe.

But... what has happened to our mouse?

Mouse: 

I'm over here!

Cat:

‘Over here’? Where?

Mouse:

Here! In the picture, in the grass behind the donkey. Because something caught my eye, and I wanted to check it out. And... I was right!

Cat:

Right about what?

Mouse:

Take a look at the landscape.

Cat:

A sandy path with stones, grass, a meadow, a river with boats ... hmm... looks like northern Italy, where Carpaccio lived.

Mouse:

That too.

Cat:

And what else?

Mouse:

The trees on either side. Don’t you see? What with your 'sharp eyes'?

Cat:

The trees on either side? ... Some have plenty leaves, some not so many. The tree on the far right even has none at all...

Mouse:

Bingo! You got it! The trees Mary, Jesus and Joseph have already walked past look healthy and have fresh green leaves. But the trees they haven't passed yet are still bare or at least looking a bit sickly.

Cat:

Okay. And? What does that mean?

Mouse: 

Hang on while I get out of this picture.

Right. Well, that's one of Carpaccio's tricks. Or hints. Or signs. He is trying to say wherever Jesus – who according to the Christian faith will save humanity – wherever he passes, life blossoms and all is well. Even the trees flourish.

Cat:

Well, I don't know. Does a tree actually care who rides past it??

Mouse:

It's not meant to be a real thing; it's just a sign...