Jacopo Bassano “The Rest on the Flight into Egypt” Ambrosiana Gallery Pinacoteca Library in Milan in Italy

Jacopo Bassano (1510 — 13 February 1592) “Rest on the Flight into Egypt”

Painting - Oil on Canvas (118 x 158 cm) 1547

This Bassano painting represents the rest of Mary and Joseph during their flight to Egypt.

Jacopo Bassano, The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Ambrosiana Gallery Pinacoteca Library in Milan in Italy

Jacopo Bassano, The Rest on the Flight into Egypt They are the only ones sitting while three men hasten to serve them by caring for the donkey carrying the virgin and the child.

These peasants' attitudes and tanned skin contrast with the light and delicate skin of the Madonna and the naked Child who occupy the centre of the picture.

Joseph, obviously exhausted, looks up at his energetic Child, who is agitated and plays with his mother's beautiful transparent veil, who watches him do it with tenderness.

As the main characters, the Madonna and Child are surrounded by servants, and Joseph is watching over them, thus illuminating the centre of the picture.

The Madonna is evanescent, and her barely outlined halo merges into the aura of her veil that flutters in the wind and that Jesus grabs.

The serenity and central softness of the painting help us to share this moment of rest with them.

Jacopo Bassano, The Rest on the Flight into Egypt