The rest on the flight into Egypt: a night piece c. 1644

Rembrandt van Rijn made this etching, The rest on the flight into Egypt: a night piece, during the Dutch Golden Age. The scene shows the holy family pausing during their flight into Egypt, illuminated by a lantern hanging from a tree. Rembrandt made many prints like this one, as there was a growing market for them in 17th century Europe. It was a time of religious conflict and social change, and the story of the Holy Family resonated with people who were experiencing hardship and displacement. Religious images were important visual tools that helped shape the cultural understanding of biblical stories. To understand the print fully, we might look at religious texts, cultural histories, and the economic conditions of the time. By doing so, we can better appreciate the power of art to reflect and shape social values.