Who painted The Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

The Rest on the Flight into Egypt was painted by Simone Cantarini in 1630.

Where can I see The Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

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

What movement is The Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

The Rest on the Flight into Egypt is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Simone Cantarini , 1630

The Rest on the Flight into Egypt is an ink print by the Baroque artist Simone Cantarini. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Simone Cantarini, an Italian artist of the early 17th century, produced an etching titled *The Rest on the Flight into Egypt* in 1630. The print portrays a quiet moment from the biblical narrative, showing the Virgin and infant Christ sheltered beneath a tree while Joseph rests nearby. The composition balances devotional intimacy with a subtle foreshadowing of the crucifixion.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures the Holy Family’s brief pause during their escape from Herod’s decree, a theme often employed to emphasize divine protection and human vulnerability. The tree that offers shade to Mary and Jesus also serves as a symbolic prefiguration of the cross, linking the infant’s future sacrifice to the present moment of rest.

Technique & Style

Cantarini employed drypoint, a variant of intaglio printing in which the artist incises lines directly into a copper plate. The resulting burrs retain ink, producing soft, velvety shadows that contrast with the crisp, clean outlines of the figures. This method yields a luminous, delicate effect characteristic of Cantarini’s printmaking, merging Bolognese classicism with naturalistic detail.

History & Provenance

Born in Pesaro in 1612, Cantarini was active within the Bolognese school, primarily as a painter before turning to printmaking. *The Rest on the Flight into Egypt* reflects his mature period, when he integrated the refined aesthetics of his training with the technical possibilities of etching. The work remains a representative example of his contribution to 17th‑century Italian print culture.