The Rest on the Flight into Egypt

"The Rest on the Flight into Egypt", a beautiful drawing crafted in 1682, invites us to pause and reflect on a pivotal moment in Christian history. Currently housed in the National Gallery of Art, this intimate piece, measuring just 0.166 meters by 0.126 meters, draws our attention to the delicate use of black chalk to render the figures of Mary, the Christ Child, Joseph, and three attending angels. Notice how the artist, through washes of gray and blue, skillfully depicts the serene landscape surrounding them. The family seeks respite on their journey, and the artist masterfully captures a sense of peace and tranquility through the soft lighting and the naturalistic depiction of the trees, hills, and water. The loose, almost sketchy style of the drawing imbues the scene with a sense of immediacy and movement, reminding us that this is but a brief moment of rest on a longer journey.