The Rest on the Flight into Egypt

The Rest during the Flight into Egypt was executed between 1655 and 1660 and is one of Jacques Jordaens’ later works. The theme was already popular in the late Middle Ages. Influenced by the Jesuits and the Counter Reformation, a new dimension was added to the traditional representation, as is evident in Jacques Jordaens’ painting. Cherubs dart through the air…

The Rest during the Flight into Egypt was executed between 1655 and 1660 and is one of Jacques Jordaens’ later works. The theme was already popular in the late Middle Ages. Influenced by the Jesuits and the Counter Reformation, a new dimension was added to the traditional representation, as is evident in Jacques Jordaens’ painting. Cherubs dart through the air above the heads of Mary, Joseph and Jesus. One of them offers Jesus an apple, referring to his future role as the Redeemer of original sin. Another cherub holds a laurel wreath over Joseph’s head. In this way the Holy Family represents an ‘earthly trinity’. Joseph’s attribute is the flowering staff he holds in his hand. God commanded a dry stick to flower, indicating that Joseph had been chosen to be Mary’s husband. The increasing significance of Joseph dates back to the sixteenth century. In the gospels of Matthew and Luke all we are told about Joseph is that he was a carpenter by profession. Representations of Joseph as an old man derive from popular belief and apocryphal texts. Here too we see him as a tired old man who is full of concern about the fate of the Mother and Child.