The Rest on the Fligth into Egypt 1639 - 1679

Nicolas Loir painted this small oil on canvas, “The Rest on the Flight into Egypt,” sometime in the mid-17th century. Loir was a French painter working in a period marked by religious conflict and the consolidation of royal power under Louis XIV. Here, we see Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus taking refuge during their flight from Herod's persecution, an intimate moment of respite amidst displacement. Mary nurses her child, her gaze reflecting a deep tenderness, while Joseph sits nearby, embodying the protective guardian. In this domestic scene, the artist draws from traditional representations of the Holy Family and subtly introduces a more human and relatable narrative. "The Rest on the Flight into Egypt" is a poignant depiction of love, protection, and vulnerability. It reminds us of the universal need for safety and security, especially resonant in times of turmoil.