Who painted Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Rest on the Flight into Egypt was painted by Simone Cantarini in 1644.

Where can I see Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Simone Cantarini , 1644

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is an ink print by the Baroque artist Simone Cantarini. It dates from 1644 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Simone Cantarini, an Italian artist from Pesaro, produced an etching titled *Rest on the Flight into Egypt* circa 1644. Executed on laid paper, the work captures a brief pause in the biblical journey of the Holy Family. The print is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C.

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays the Virgin Mary kneeling beside a tree, cradling the infant Jesus, while a second figure—traditionally identified as Joseph—sits slumped nearby. The composition suggests a moment of exhaustion and brief respite during the family's flight to Egypt, emphasizing human vulnerability within a sacred narrative.

Technique & Style

Cantarini employed the etching process, incising lines into a metal plate that were then transferred onto laid paper. The drawing is characterized by swift, loose strokes that render foliage, rock, and drapery in a sketch-like manner, creating a delicate, luminous quality typical of his printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑seventeenth century, the print has remained in private and institutional hands before entering the National Gallery of Art. Its provenance reflects the artist’s reputation as both painter and etcher, and the work’s inclusion in a major museum underscores its scholarly interest.

Context

Cantarini’s oeuvre merges the classicist tendencies of the Bolognese school with a more naturalistic approach. This blend is evident in the *Rest on the Flight into Egypt*, where idealized religious subject matter is rendered with a palpable sense of immediacy and physical fatigue.