Who painted The Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

The Rest on the Flight into Egypt was painted by Camillo Procaccini in 1598.

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 Renaissance.

Artwork

The Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Camillo Procaccini , 1598

The Rest on the Flight into Egypt is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Camillo Procaccini. It dates from 1598 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Camillo Procaccini’s etching, titled The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, dates from around 1598. Executed on laid paper, the work presents a quiet moment during the biblical journey, rendered in the delicate line work characteristic of late‑Renaissance printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows the Virgin Mary seated on a rock, gently holding the infant Jesus. Beside them, a horse lowers its head to drink from a stream, while a verdant landscape of trees and foliage frames the scene, suggesting a pause of peace amid the travelers’ arduous trek.

Technique & Style

Procaccini employs fine incised lines and graduated shading to model forms, creating a soft atmospheric quality. The horse’s mane and surrounding vegetation are rendered with bolder strokes, adding contrast and a subtle sense of movement within the otherwise tranquil setting.

History & Provenance

The print originates from the artist’s late‑sixteenth‑century output, a period when etching was gaining prominence in Italy. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work is catalogued among Procaccini’s known prints and appears in several collections of Renaissance graphic art.

Context

During the Counter‑Reformation, depictions of the Holy Family’s flight were popular, emphasizing themes of protection and divine providence. Procaccini’s treatment aligns with contemporary devotional imagery, yet his focus on a restful interlude offers a more intimate, humanized perspective.