"The rest on the flight into Egypt: a night piece" by Rembrandt van Rijn, dated 1644, is a deeply evocative print created on paper, utilizing the demanding medium of etching and drypoint. This relatively small work masterfully captures the biblical narrative of the Holy Family resting during their arduous journey to escape Herod's decree, transforming a traditional subject into an intimate, dramatic nocturnal study.
Rijn employed sophisticated printmaking techniques to achieve a masterful play of light and shadow. Unlike many depictions of the Flight, where the scene is viewed under daylight, here a soft, miraculous glow emanates from the infant Christ, illuminating Mary and Joseph who are sheltered beneath the dense canopy of a tree. This intense contrast, a hallmark of Rijn’s mature style, heightens the sense of solitude and vulnerability inherent in their flight.
As a printmaker, Rijn was unparalleled in his ability to manipulate the etching plate, relying on intricate networks of cross-hatching and dense black areas to define the surrounding darkness. The enduring quality and widespread influence of Rijn's graphic output meant that his prints circulated broadly throughout 17th-century Europe, establishing him as the era's preeminent graphic artist. This particular impression of The rest on the flight into Egypt: a night piece resides within the comprehensive collection of Dutch prints maintained by the Rijksmuseum. Reproductions of this historic work are widely accessible today, with many impressions residing in the public domain.
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