Maison Bouasse-Lebel (Paris), ‘Die heilige Familie in der Wüste.’ (‘The holy Family in the Desert’ ) ca. 1910-15, andachtsbild (devotional picture), 11 x 6,2 cm.
Herds of desperate people fleeing from their country in numbers so abstract we need a protagonist to emerse ourselves into the dramatic impact. Halas a little boy had the dubious honour to become the face of the dangerous fate Syrians face when escaping their lethal home country.
Escaping is not a characterestic of our era: well over 200 years ago a family with a little boy fled to another country. The holy family went to Egypt, there are various stories on the events. Asylum was not nessecary, and they succeeded to return. Sure, as the text on the devotional picture explains: they had the protection of divine providence. Let’s hope this protection still exists generously. The original goal of this image to reflect, be it in a different context, can still be served!