Back to gallery
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Art Appreciation

The artwork depicts a serene and tender moment capturing the Holy Family, enveloped in a cloud-like embrace. In the foreground, Mary holds the infant Jesus, their faces radiating warmth and love; Mary's expression is gentle, her eyes filled with maternal affection as she gazes at her child. Behind them, Joseph appears slightly distant yet protective, looming with a posture that suggests both guardianship and contemplation. The figures are beautifully arranged, creating a harmonious composition that draws the viewer's focus toward the delicate interaction of the mother and child.

The artist skillfully employs chiaroscuro—strong contrasts of light and shadow—to enhance the emotional depth of the scene. The color palette is rich yet muted, with deep blues, vibrant reds, and warm earth tones that evoke a sense of reverence and tranquility. The ethereal quality of the clouds around them nearly lifts the figures into the divine, almost inviting the viewer to experience the sanctity of this intimate moment. This portrayal transcends mere representation; it invokes a nostalgic serenity that resonates with the viewer, perhaps even stirring memories of one's own family bonds. Historical contexts place this work within the realm of the Rococo, revealing Fragonard's ability to marry intimate human experience with broader religious themes.

The Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Jean-Honoré Fragonard

Category:

Created:

1774

Likes:

0

Dimensions:

3149 × 3587 px

Download:

Related artworks

The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones
The Pearl of Great Price (The Parables of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ)
The Saint and the Poet
A wooded landscape with milkmaids and their cattle sheltering from a shower
Don Quixote Attacking the Biscayan
The building of the tower of Babel
The Churching of Women
The stalls of the Church of Saint Gertrude in Louvain
Pietà (after Eugène Delacroix)
Corrèze sacrifices himself to save Caliroy