Rust op de weg naar Egypte 1581 - 1633

Theodoor Galle created this small engraving, "Rest on the Flight to Egypt," sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The image depicts a moment of respite for the Holy Family during their flight to Egypt, a narrative imbued with themes of persecution, displacement, and the search for refuge, deeply resonant in a Europe marked by religious conflict and social upheaval. Notice Mary seated, holding a basket of fruit, while a young Jesus reaches out, seemingly offering an apple to his mother. Joseph is above them, gathering more fruit. There is a tenderness in this depiction of the family. Yet, it also subtly challenges the traditional representations of women at the time. Mary is shown as both maternal and strong, actively participating in the sustenance of her family. Galle, who lived in a time of stark religious divisions, offers a view of humanity centered around empathy and simple acts of kindness. It’s an image of a family finding solace and nourishment amidst uncertainty, reflecting both the personal and the universal quest for safety and peace.