The artwork, “Rest on the Flight into Egypt,” was created by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1504 in Germany. This oil on panel religious painting, characteristic of the Northern Renaissance art movement, measures 70.7 x 53 cm. The painting is housed in the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, Germany.
This artwork depicts the Biblical scene of the Holy Family’s rest during their flight into Egypt. At the center, the Virgin Mary, dressed in flowing red garments, holds the infant Jesus, who is reaching out tenderly towards the surrounding figures. Saint Joseph stands behind them, appearing reflective and protective. The backdrop is a detailed and lush landscape, populated with angels and cherubs who are engaged in various activities, adding an ethereal presence to the scene. The painting’s intricate attention to detail and vibrant use of color is testament to Cranach’s mastery and the Northern Renaissance’s focus on realism and elaborate landscapes. The serene and divine atmosphere rendered through the interaction of human and celestial beings highlights the pious nature of the composition.
