Has been dated to ca.1594 which would make it one of Brueghel's earliest works. Although the copper support and dimensions are identical with those of Brueghel's works done in Italy, it is difficult to fit this picture (and others related to it, like Ertz 1979 #4) with the spatial feeling of his Italian-period history pictures. Ertz and others make connection (correctly) to his father's Magpie on the Gallows, which was owned by Jan's mother having been left to her by Pieter Bruegel. The connections are in fact so close that it is hard to imagine this being done in Italy, without access to the original painting -- even a drawing would have had to be very close indeed. Also, this is a very sophisticated work in comparison with those little rocky coastline works that were supposed to be his first landscapes, kind of dramatic difference. There is definitely not, as M. Hale has suggested, any link to Flight into Egypt iconography.