A dramatic ink and wash drawing by Moses ter Borch, depicting the Holy Family during their flight into Egypt with atmospheric chiaroscuro.

This ink and wash drawing by Moses ter Borch depicts the biblical narrative of the Flight into Egypt. The composition focuses on the Holy Family, with Joseph leading a donkey that carries Mary and the infant Jesus. Ter Borch employs a dramatic use of chiaroscuro, where deep, moody washes create a sense of nocturnal travel. The light source appears to emanate from the ground near Joseph, casting long shadows and illuminating the figures against a dark, atmospheric background.

Moses ter Borch was a member of a prominent family of artists from Zwolle. His career was brief, as he died at the age of twenty-two. Despite his short life, his works demonstrate a high level of technical proficiency in handling ink washes. This particular piece is part of a larger collection of his drawings, which often explore domestic scenes or religious themes with a quiet, contemplative quality. The handling of the wash allows for subtle gradations of tone, giving the figures a sculptural presence within the frame.

The drawing is signed and dated 1662, placing it within the final years of his life. It reflects the broader interest in biblical subjects that occupied many Dutch artists of the seventeenth century, though ter Borch approaches the theme with a personal, intimate scale. The lack of excessive detail allows the viewer to focus on the movement and the solemnity of the journey. The work is preserved in a sketchbook format, which provides insight into the artist's private practice and his method of developing compositions through tonal variation rather than purely linear definition.