Landscape with the Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Landscape with the Rest on the Flight into Egypt by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) is a delicate and expansive drawing executed between 1630 and 1640. This work, rendered in pen and brown ink over preliminary black chalk, is an exemplary study of the ideal landscape style that Lorrain would pioneer throughout the Roman Baroque era.

The drawing centers on the Biblical narrative, showing the figures of the Holy Family resting midway through their flight. Lorrain masterfully integrates the men and women of the scene, along with various animals, within an expansive natural setting. The composition is defined by the dense foliage of towering trees which frame the scene, creating a powerful sense of depth and atmospheric light. Lorrain’s technique employs precise linear application of brown ink combined with subtle washes to delineate forms, demonstrating how the artist used drawings to establish the structure and tonality for later painted works.

As a prolific draftsman, Lorrain frequently explored the theme of sacred history set within tranquil, idealized landscapes. This particular piece captures the pastoral tranquility characteristic of his output during the 1630s, a period when he was rapidly solidifying his reputation in Rome as the preeminent master of landscape painting. The delicate handling highlights the artist's focus on harmonious balance between human activity and the surrounding environment. This significant drawing currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. High-quality prints of this historical masterwork are widely distributed, often through public domain initiatives which allow for broader study and appreciation.