The Rest on the Flight into Egypt: A Night Piece (reverse copy) 1770 - 1836

Francesco Novelli created this print, "The Rest on the Flight into Egypt: A Night Piece," sometime around the late 18th or early 19th century, a period of significant religious and political upheaval in Europe. The image depicts Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus during their escape to Egypt, a common theme in Christian art. What sets this piece apart is its intimate, almost domestic portrayal of the Holy Family in a moment of respite. Novelli was an Italian printmaker, who probably knew that prints like these were widely circulated and consumed by a broad audience, they were a key means through which artistic ideas were disseminated and popularized. Religious imagery, in particular, played a crucial role in shaping cultural values and beliefs. Understanding the historical context of this print requires exploring religious beliefs, the history of printmaking, and the politics of imagery in 18th and 19th century Europe, using archives, and historical texts. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.