Who painted Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Rest on the Flight into Egypt was painted by Corrado Giaquinto in 1764.

Where can I see Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is held by Detroit Institute of Arts.

What movement is Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Corrado Giaquinto , 1764

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Corrado Giaquinto. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

About this work

Overview

Corrado Giaquinto’s oil painting Rest on the Flight into Egypt, completed in 1764, is part of the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. The work portrays a moment of repose for the Holy Family during their biblical journey, set within a tranquil landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows the Virgin Mary seated on a stone bench, cradling the infant Christ, who stands and gazes outward. Joseph kneels nearby, head bowed in prayer, while two angels attend the scene—one shielding the family with a cloth, the other kneeling beside Joseph—emphasizing divine guardianship.

Technique & Style

Giaquinto employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, creating a sense of three‑dimensionality and directing attention to the central group. The soft transitions of light across the flesh tones contrast with the darker background, while the lush foliage and distant palm trees are rendered with delicate brushwork.

History & Provenance

The painting was executed in 1764 and entered the Detroit Institute of Arts’ holdings at an unspecified later date. Its provenance prior to acquisition by the museum is not extensively documented in the available sources.

Context

Created during the late Baroque period, the work reflects Giaquinto’s characteristic blend of graceful figures and luminous color. The subject of the Holy Family’s rest was a popular devotional theme, allowing the artist to explore themes of protection and serenity within a narrative framework.