Hvile på flugten til Egypten. I baggrunden en obelisk 1744 - 1788

Francesco Darosi rendered this drawing with pen and brown ink, depicting a scene of the Holy Family during their flight to Egypt. The late 18th century was a time of immense social change, with revolutionary sentiments brewing across Europe and the Americas. The artist portrays Mary nursing the infant Jesus, while Joseph, staff in hand, looks on with weary eyes. A donkey stands behind them, burdened perhaps with the weight of their journey. In the background, an obelisk rises, a symbol of ancient power and endurance, yet its presence introduces a complex layer of colonial history and appropriation, given that obelisks were often taken from Egypt and re-erected in European cities. Darosi invites us to consider not only the religious narrative, but also the socio-political dimensions inherent in representing figures seeking refuge. The intimate moment of mother and child is juxtaposed with the looming symbol of historical dominance, prompting reflection on the intersections of personal experience and broader historical forces.