Who painted Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Rest on the Flight into Egypt was painted by Jan Brueghel, the elder.

Where can I see Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Jan Brueghel, the elder

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jan Brueghel, the elder. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created circa 1650, this small copper painting shows the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus pausing during their flight to Egypt.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1650, this small copper painting shows the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus pausing during their flight to Egypt. They sit beneath a massive, twisting tree whose leafy canopy dominates the upper half of the composition. A calm body of water glints in the distance, contributing to the work’s overall sense of quiet repose.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures a moment of rest in the biblical narrative of the Holy Family’s escape from Herod. By focusing on the intimate interaction between mother and child, the artist emphasizes themes of protection and divine tenderness, while the surrounding nature suggests a temporary sanctuary amid their perilous journey.

Technique & Style

Executed on copper, the painting benefits from the metal’s smooth surface, allowing fine detail and luminous color.

Executed on copper, the painting benefits from the metal’s smooth surface, allowing fine detail and luminous color. Brueghel employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, creating a convincing sense of volume. The foliage is rendered with meticulous brushwork, characteristic of Flemish Baroque naturalism, while the overall composition balances detailed observation with a harmonious, idealized landscape.

History & Provenance

The work is attributed to Jan Brueghel the Elder, a prominent Flemish painter known for his collaborations with Peter Paul Rubens and for integrating landscape and religious subjects. It entered the Rijksmuseum’s collection in the 20th century, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of Dutch and Flemish Baroque art.

Context

Brueghel’s painting reflects the early‑17th‑century Flemish Baroque interest in combining devotional imagery with lush, detailed environments. The choice of copper as a support aligns with contemporary practices for small, portable works intended for private devotion, allowing the artist to achieve a high level of finish and brilliance in color.