Who painted Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Rest on the Flight into Egypt was painted by Jean-Baptiste-Marie Pierre in 1758.

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 Romanticism.

Artwork

Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Jean-Baptiste-Marie Pierre , 1758

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Jean-Baptiste-Marie Pierre. It dates from 1758 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jean-Baptiste‑Marie Pierre’s 1758 etching titled Rest on the Flight into Egypt depicts a brief pause during the Holy Family’s journey. Executed on laid paper, the print presents a compact composition where three figures occupy a modest foreground against a rugged, tree‑lined hillside, conveying a moment of weary repose amid travel.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays the Virgin Mary seated with the infant Jesus, while Joseph stands slightly apart, his back turned toward the viewer. Their posture suggests a temporary rest during the biblical flight to Egypt, emphasizing themes of protection, divine guidance, and the human fatigue inherent in exile.

Technique & Style

Pierre employed traditional copper‑plate etching, using fine lines to render the textures of fabric, skin, and the craggy landscape. The contrast between delicate hatching on the figures and broader, more vigorous strokes for the surrounding foliage creates depth, while the laid‑paper surface adds a subtle tonal richness to the monochrome image.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑eighteenth century, the print reflects the period’s interest in religious subjects rendered for a broader audience. It was likely produced for the artist’s workshop and circulated among collectors of devotional prints, though specific ownership records prior to modern museum acquisition remain limited.