Rest on the Flight into Egypt Bartolome Esteban Murillo (1618-1682)

Description of the painting "Rest on the Road to Egypt" by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo

A special feature of the works of the famous painter Murillo is the religious theme, as he painted at the request and commission of churches. His work is considered an intricate interweaving of the measured opulence of compositions about churches with church motifs, radiating the joy of everyday life in human life. The reproduction has the following meaning: the peaceful sleep of the baby, the attentive gesture of the mother, which demonstrates her care and solicitous attitude towards the baby, the serene image of her caress, the tree casting its shadow and people resting peacefully.

Joseph stands not far away and holds the animal, while the inquisitive little God’s messengers, wary of approaching so as not to awaken the little child, stand holding close to the other angels and look at the baby. Murillo made everything in harmony: matching images with the view, soft and flowing rows, warm colors - reddish gown of the woman combines with the brown clothing of the Madonna, you can also see the combination of colors with shades of wood, soft pink body of the baby and the haze that can be seen from the distant hillocks. The excellent execution of unpresentable things (artfully tied knots, a hat thrown over them, made of straw, a bottle interestingly inserted into an empty gourd) demonstrates, proper, that the artist, similar to other artists of the period, was simply a master of his craft.

The beautiful painting, which is in the Hermitage, is a jewel in the collection of his work. The picture is executed with the use of the best shades, conveying the fullness and beauty of the conceived idea. Every delicate detail and every stroke of the great artist’s brushstroke can be seen in the picture, as the quality is superb. Looking at such a quality work you can get closer to history and immerse yourself in his work. The breath and vibe of that era is presented in the painting, which demonstrates the sincere attitude and genuine love of a mother for her child. The work reeks of the warmth of a mother’s care and the embodiment of all that is beautiful.