The Rest on the Flight into Egypt

The Rest on the Flight into Egypt is an exquisite example of early printmaking by Rembrandt van Rijn, dated 1626. Created when Rijn was just twenty years old, this work on paper showcases the technical skill that would define his entire career in graphic arts. As an early seventeenth-century print, the technique utilized likely involves etching, allowing Rijn to employ delicate lines and dense cross-hatching to achieve rich textural effects. This piece captures the quiet exhaustion of the Holy Family as they pause their journey, seeking refuge in Egypt from Herod’s decree.

Produced during the Dutch Golden Age, Rijn often returned to Biblical themes, treating them with intimacy and profound human feeling rather than emphasizing grand spectacle. In this composition, the artist utilizes dramatic contrasts of shadow and illumination (a technique often associated with tenebrism) to focus attention entirely on the weary figures. Joseph, often depicted sleeping or resting in the foreground, anchors the composition, while the central light source emphasizes the figures of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. This piece exemplifies Rijn’s preference for focused, emotionally resonant scenes rendered with minimal, suggestive surroundings.

This important example of Rijn’s early graphic work is maintained within the prestigious collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. As one of the most celebrated printmakers in art history, Rijn established a legacy that made his numerous prints essential components of scholarly study. Today, high-quality digital assets related to this iconic early work are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access to the mastery of the seventeenth-century Dutch School.