Who painted Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Rest on the Flight into Egypt was painted by Jan Brueghel, the elder in 1650-01-01.

Where can I see Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Rest on the Flight into Egypt?

Museum-quality prints of Rest on the Flight into Egypt are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Jan Brueghel, the elder

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jan Brueghel, the elder. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created circa 1650, this small copper painting shows the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus pausing during their flight to Egypt.

About this work

Technique & Style

The copper plate measures 16 cm in height by 12 cm in width, yielding a compact, jewel-like format that encourages meticulous handling of detail.

Rest on the Flight into Egypt by Jan Brueghel the Elder is executed in oil paint on a copper support, a combination particularly suited to the artist's refined small-scale cabinet pictures. The copper plate measures 16 cm in height by 12 cm in width, yielding a compact, jewel-like format that encourages meticulous handling of detail.

The smooth, non-absorbent copper ground allowed Brueghel to work with thin, translucent layers and fine glazes, producing the polished surface and luminous color characteristic of his manner. The religious subject is rendered with the precise, miniaturist brushwork for which Brueghel the Elder is known, with careful attention to landscape elements such as the depicted tree.

Classified as a religious painting and dated 1650, the work is held in the Rijksmuseum as part of the Kabinet van Heteren Gevers collection.

History & Provenance

The painting titled Rest on the Flight into Egypt, attributed to Jan Brueghel the Elder, was created in 1650. Executed in oil paint on a copper support, the work measures 16 cm in height and 12 cm in width. It is currently held in the Rijksmuseum as part of the Kabinet van Heteren Gevers collection.

Historical records indicate that the piece was previously owned by Gerrit van der Pot before entering the museum's holdings. The artwork depicts the biblical scene of the rest during the flight into Egypt, featuring a prominent tree within the composition.

Rest on the Flight into Egypt by Jan Brueghel the Elder is held in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it forms part of the Kabinet van Heteren Gevers collection. The work was formerly owned by Gerrit van der Pot before entering the museum's holdings. Painted in oil on copper in 1650, the small panel measures 16 cm in height by 12 cm in width.

No exhibition history is documented in the available sources.

Overview

Created circa 1650, this small copper painting shows the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus pausing during their flight to Egypt. They sit beneath a massive, twisting tree whose leafy canopy dominates the upper half of the composition. A calm body of water glints in the distance, contributing to the work’s overall sense of quiet repose.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures a moment of rest in the biblical narrative of the Holy Family’s escape from Herod. By focusing on the intimate interaction between mother and child, the artist emphasizes themes of protection and divine tenderness, while the surrounding nature suggests a temporary sanctuary amid their perilous journey.

Context

Brueghel’s painting reflects the early‑17th‑century Flemish Baroque interest in combining devotional imagery with lush, detailed environments. The choice of copper as a support aligns with contemporary practices for small, portable works intended for private devotion, allowing the artist to achieve a high level of finish and brilliance in color.