A Christmas Message

Screenshot_2018-12-24 Henry_Ossawa_Tanner_-_Flight_into_Egypt_(1923) jpg (JPEG Image, 2876 × 3571 pixels) - Scaled (27%)
Flight Into Egypt (1923), Henry Ossawa Tanner (American,1859–1937), Oil on canvas, 29 x 26 in. (73.7 x 66 cm), Credit Line: Marguerite and Frank A. Cosgrove Jr. Fund, 2001, The Met

“The Small One”

A vintage radio story narrated by Bing Crosby, this twelve minute audio tells a delightful tale of a boy and his donkey called “The Small One”.

Henry Ossawa Tanner: Flight Into Egypt

Tanner’s eloquent “Flight into Egypt” is a canonical mature work by the increasingly esteemed American artist, who studied in Paris and resided in France. In the mid-1890s Tanner decided to concentrate on biblical themes familiar from his childhood in a household headed by a leader of the African Methodist Church. Tanner developed an increasingly painterly, highly personal style based on empirical observation and inner vision. “Tanner blues,” complex layers of glazes, and flat decorative surfaces are keynotes of many of his late canvases.

“Flight into Egypt” depicts the Holy Family’s clandestine evasion of King Herod’s assassins (Matthew 2:12–14), Tanner’s favorite biblical story. It expresses his sensitivity to issues of personal freedom, escape from persecution, and migrations of African-Americans from the South to the North. The painting, which reveals a concern for human emotions and an awareness of the mystical meanings of biblical narratives, also manifests Tanner’s affliliation with contemporary Symbolism and the religious revival that occurred in response to challenges of the modern era.On the back of this canvas is a study for the prizewinning work Tanner entitled “Christ at the Home of Lazarus,” painted about 1912 and now known only from photographs.

The Met

Merry Christmas ✝️

~Sunnyside

24 Comments Add yours

  1. I do enjoy Tanner’s work.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Laurie Fox Pessemier's avatar lfpessemier says:

    Thank you and a Merry Christmas!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

    Like

  4. Have a beautiful Christmas 💖🌟💖

    Liked by 1 person

    1. And a Merry Christmas to you and yours, Luisa! ❤️❤️❤️🙂🎄🎅🏻🎉

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Michele Lee's avatar Michele Lee says:

    A lovely share! Merry Christmas. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Michele! 🙂🎄🎉

      Liked by 1 person

  6. KK's avatar KK says:

    Merry Christmas to you and your family too!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. And to you and yours, also, KK! 🙂🎄🎉

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Inge David's avatar Inge David says:

    Merry Christmas! 🎄🤶

    Like

  8. cindy knoke's avatar cindy knoke says:

    Merry Christmas! 2️⃣5️⃣👼🎄🌟

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Merry Christmas, Cindy! 😎🎄❤️☃️🎅🏻

      Like

  9. Tanner’s painting is enchanting.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Aletha.🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Michael Sammut's avatar Michael Sammut says:

    Happy Christmas

    Liked by 3 people

    1. And a Merry Christmas to you, also, Michael🎄

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Michael Sammut's avatar Michael Sammut says:

        Many sincere thanks.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Thank you for sharing this great post and Merry Christmas to you ✨❣️

    Liked by 1 person

  12. What a fantastic combination: Hauser playing Leonard Cohen, surrounded by ballet.
    Happy Holidays, dear friend!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Dolly. And Happy Holidays to you, also! ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Merry Christmas! 🎅🤶

    Liked by 1 person

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