Rust op de vlucht naar Egypte 1700

Curator: This engraving from around 1700 is called "Rust op de vlucht naar Egypte," or "Rest on the Flight into Egypt" by Ignaz Bendl. It depicts the Holy Family's journey escaping Herod's decree. Editor: It's surprisingly delicate for such a fraught scene, wouldn't you say? The linework is so fine, almost airy, despite the heaviness of the subject. You can almost feel the fatigue. Curator: Absolutely. Bendl uses the Baroque style to enhance the emotional drama. Consider how the lines direct our eye from the worn faces of Joseph and Mary towards the hazy, almost dreamlike landscape representing their uncertain future. Editor: And look at the way he renders their clothes! The drapery has this incredible weight, like the folds are literally pulling them down. I'm curious about the paper it's printed on, and the process to achieve this depth using only line. Curator: The printmaking tradition would dictate that this image have been relatively widely available, and thus disseminated both devotion and potentially functioned as a symbol of religious resilience and Baroque iconography among his audience. Editor: Resilience is the key word here. Beyond the immediate religious narrative, there's something universally resonant about this family seeking refuge. Curator: Indeed. It underscores the constant struggle for sanctuary that continues to play out in socio-political structures of society. Editor: It's remarkable how a simple engraving can reveal the emotional, material and the larger historical layers of human experience. Curator: Agreed. Bendl's work continues to hold powerful echoes within our contemporary reality.