Glyn Warren Philpot

Repose on the Flight into Egypt

1922

Image released under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND (3.0 Unported)

License this image

Not on display
Artist
Glyn Warren Philpot 1884–1937
Medium
Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions
Support: 749 x 1161 x 25 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Purchased 2004
Reference
T11861

Display caption

Glyn Philpot brings an unusual interpretation to the subject of the Holy Family resting on the flight into Egypt by incorporating mythological figures including a sphinx, a satyr and three centaurs. Philpot’s presentation of the mythological creatures alludes to pagan myths of unrestrained sexuality, and the implication is that this will be replaced by the new religion of Christianity. The Holy Family are seen sheltering against a huge sculpture from a ruined building, fragments of which appear in the background. This dream-like work has been interpreted as an attempt by Philpot to reconcile his adopted Catholicism and his sexual attraction to other men.

Gallery label, March 2018

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Features

Glyn Warren Philpot, ‘Repose on the Flight into Egypt’ 1922

A Queer Little History of Art: Repose on the Flight into Egypt

Discover a queer reading of art history through Gyn Philpot's Repose on the Flight into Egypt

Explore

You might like

William Roberts, ‘Deposition from the Cross’ c.1926

William Roberts Deposition from the Cross

c.1926
T07740
Edward Reginald Frampton, ‘Brittany: 1914’ c.1920

Edward Reginald Frampton Brittany: 1914

c.1920
T03414
Edward Halliday, ‘Christian and Hopeful Arrive before the Celestial City’ 1926

Edward Halliday Christian and Hopeful Arrive before the Celestial City

1926
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T06872
Dame Ethel Walker, ‘The Zone of Hate: Decoration’ 1914–15

Dame Ethel Walker The Zone of Hate: Decoration

1914–15
N05669
Charles Mahoney, ‘Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden’ exhibited 1936

Charles Mahoney Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

exhibited 1936
N05323
Sydney Carline, ‘Bank Holiday on Hampstead Heath’ 1915

Sydney Carline Bank Holiday on Hampstead Heath

1915
T01997
Paul Nash, ‘Blue House on the Shore’ c.1930–1

Paul Nash Blue House on the Shore

c.1930–1
N05048
Leonard Rosoman, ‘Bomb Falling into Water’ 1942

Leonard Rosoman Bomb Falling into Water

1942
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art N05729
Paul Nash, ‘Flight of the Magnolia’ 1944

Paul Nash Flight of the Magnolia

1944
T07552
Alfred Robert Hayward, ‘Sunset on the Lagoon, Venice’ 1925

Alfred Robert Hayward Sunset on the Lagoon, Venice

1925
N04674
Sir William Coldstream, ‘On the Map’ 1937

Sir William Coldstream On the Map

1937
T03068
Paule Vézelay, ‘Forms on Grey’ 1935

Paule Vézelay Forms on Grey

1935
T03955
George Frederic Watts, ‘Time, Death and Judgement’ 1900

George Frederic Watts Time, Death and Judgement

1900
N01693
Ivon Hitchens, ‘Autumn Composition, Flowers on a Table’ 1932

Ivon Hitchens Autumn Composition, Flowers on a Table

1932
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T02215
Lovis Corinth, ‘The Temptation of St Anthony after Gustave Flaubert’ 1908

Lovis Corinth The Temptation of St Anthony after Gustave Flaubert

1908
N04831