Flight to Egypt (from the predella of the Roverella Polyptych)

The Roverella Polyptych is considered as one of Tura’s most important work. Originally it was located in the church of San Giorgio fuori le Mura in Ferrara where it was partially destroyed by a bomb in 1709. It was commissioned by Lorenzo Roverella, bishop of Ferrara.

According to the most accepted version of reconstruction the Madonna Enthroned constituted the central panel, this fragment showing St George belonged to the left panel, while on the right a panel representing Niccolò Roverella with two saints was located. On top of the altarpiece there was a Pietà. Below, on the predella there were seven tondos four of which are lost.

This is one of the three remaining tondos, the other two are the Circumcision and the Adoration of Magi.

Tura was one of the most individual artists of the fifteenth century. In this work the gnarled figures, the eerie, barren landscape and the unearthly pink of the morning sky are typical of his wonderfully imaginative approach to painting.