Who painted Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Rest on the Flight into Egypt was painted by Elisabetta Sirani in 1660.

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 Baroque.

Artwork

Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Elisabetta Sirani , 1660

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is an ink print by the Baroque artist Elisabetta Sirani. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is a circa 1660 etching on laid paper by Elisabetta Sirani, a pioneering Italian Baroque artist known for her achievements in painting and printmaking despite her short career.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene moment from the biblical narrative of the Flight into Egypt, showing the Virgin Mary resting with the infant Jesus, accompanied by two other figures, under the shelter of palm trees.

Technique & Style

Sirani employed etching to create the work, characterized by sharp and softer lines, generating a dynamic visual effect. The composition features textured background elements, such as trees and rocks, rendered through careful, expressive lines.

History & Provenance

Created around 1660, the etching reflects Sirani's established technique in printmaking. However, specific provenance details are not provided, highlighting the work's attribution to Sirani's productive period before her death at 27.

Context

This etching situates itself within the broader context of Baroque art in 17th-century Bologna, where Sirani was a rare example of a successful female artist, producing works for both public and private commissions.

Legacy

As one of Sirani's prints, *Rest on the Flight into Egypt* contributes to her legacy as a trailblazing female artist of the Baroque period, though its individual impact within her oeuvre is not specifically distinguished in the provided information.

Artist & collection

Artist

Elisabetta Sirani

Elisabetta Sirani (8 January 1638 – 28 August 1665) was an Italian Baroque painter and printmaker who died in unexplained circumstances at the age of 27.