Artwork
The Rest on the Flight, with Adoring Angels
The Rest on the Flight, with Adoring Angels is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo’s 1750 etching titled *The Rest on the Flight, with Adoring Angels* portrays the Holy Family paused during their escape to Egypt. Executed in black‑and‑white ink on paper, the print gathers the infant Jesus, Mary, and Joseph beneath a towering tree, while two angelic figures hover above, observing the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a moment of temporary respite in the biblical Flight into Egypt, emphasizing protection and divine watchfulness. The presence of the angels underscores the sacred nature of the journey, while the relaxed posture of the family suggests a brief pause before continuing their exile, reflecting themes of refuge and providence.
Technique & Style
Tiepzo employs the etching process, incising fine, slightly irregular lines into a copper plate that are then inked and transferred to paper. The delicate, swirling strokes convey the texture of bark, foliage, and sky, creating a sense of movement. The overall aesthetic aligns with mid‑18th‑century Venetian Rococo, noted for its graceful lines and expressive, airy figures.
History & Provenance
Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, son of the celebrated Venetian painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, worked both as a painter and a printmaker, often producing etchings to accompany his larger canvases. The 1750 print was likely issued shortly after its creation as part of the artist’s print series, though specific ownership records for early collectors remain limited.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (August 30, 1727 – March 3, 1804) was an Italian painter and printmaker in etching. He was the son of artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and elder brother of Lorenzo Baldissera Tiepolo.
