The Rest on the Flight into Egypt (1569)
Original title: The rest on the flight into Egypt
kurzbeschreibung
Martino Rota's 1569 engraving, titled The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, presents the Holy Family during their flight. Mary sits in the foreground with the Christ Child on her lap; Joseph stands to the side with a staff. In the distance, additional figures and angels broaden the biblical scene, which is set within an expansive landscape.
Description
The layout feels balanced, with the main figures at its heart. Mary has the child on her lap in the foreground, while Joseph stands to the left with a stick. On the right, another person holds a child and looks toward Mary. Two angels appear on a bank of clouds, surrounded by trees, mountains, and a river. Sheep and chickens are visible on the ground. The sheet's gray tones remain even, without strong shadows.
Context
Martino Rota, a Venetian engraver of the second half of the sixteenth century, made this print in 1569, when biblical subjects were widespread in printmaking. The motif of the rest on the flight was often treated in the Renaissance as an idyllic landscape scene. Rota worked in Rome and Venice, among other places, and was known for his detailed reproductions after other artists.
Impact
The even arrangement of the figures and the calm distribution of light evoke a harmonious, peaceful mood. The careful rendering of the landscape and the clear linework give the print a narrative quality that draws the viewer into the scene.
Technique
Lines are scratched into a metal plate and etched with acid, producing an etching. Tonal values arise from the density and depth of the lines. The sheet measures 32 × 43.6 cm and is trimmed, which points to the original plate edge.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)