Artwork
Rest on the Flight to Egypt
Rest on the Flight to Egypt is a paint painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1504 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1504, this oil painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder portrays the biblical episode of the Flight into Egypt. The work is part of the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin and presents a tranquil, wooded setting in which the Holy Family is accompanied by celestial figures.
Subject & Meaning
At the center, a woman in a vivid red dress cradles the infant Jesus, while a man in a red‑and‑blue robe—identified as Joseph—stands protectively behind her. Surrounding them, angels play instruments, underscoring the divine protection afforded to the fleeing family.
Technique & Style
Cranach renders the scene with meticulous attention to fabric folds and facial expressions, employing a palette of earth tones punctuated by bright reds and blues. The detailed foliage and clear sky create depth, while the serene atmosphere reflects the artist’s characteristic blend of realism and devotional intimacy.
History & Provenance
The painting has remained in German collections since its early 16th‑century origin, eventually entering the Gemäldegalerie Berlin’s holdings, where it is displayed among other works by Cranach and his contemporaries.
Context
The work belongs to a series of devotional images produced during the Reformation era, when depictions of the Holy Family served both liturgical and private meditation purposes. Cranach’s treatment aligns with Northern Renaissance conventions, emphasizing narrative clarity and symbolic detail.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and engraving.
