Rest on the Flight into Egypt 1575 - 1599

This is an anonymous print titled, Rest on the Flight into Egypt, held at the Rijksmuseum. The eye is immediately drawn to the intricate lines and textures achieved through the printmaking process. This creates a detailed and somewhat unsettling image. The composition is divided, with a decaying structure on the left and the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus resting under a tree on the right. This division creates a tension, contrasting decay with life, vulnerability and refuge. The lines forming the architecture are sharp and angular, suggesting impermanence, while the lines around Mary and Jesus are softer, conveying tenderness. This contrast challenges the viewer to consider themes of instability versus familial love and protection. The inclusion of animals adds an element of pastoral harmony. In semiotic terms, the dilapidated building can be seen as a signifier of a fallen world, while Mary and Jesus represent hope and renewal. The artwork invites us to question fixed meanings, blending religious iconography with an awareness of the temporal nature of existence, prompting ongoing interpretation.