Rest on the Flight from Egypt with Saints by Pierre Paul Rubens

This sacred composition fits beautifully into the devout and sumptuous impetus of Counter-Reformation religious art, carried to its peak by the artist Rubens Pierre Paul. In this painting overflowing with spiritual joy entitled “Rest on the Flight from Egypt with Saints”, the painter represents divine intimacy surrounded by holy figures and protective angels. This exceptional masterpiece harmoniously combines Christian spiritual fervor and a joyful celebration of family life.:::::In the center, a benevolent mother dressed in a red and blue gown tenderly nurses her young child sitting on her lap. On the left, two elegant women with elaborate hairstyles stand alongside a knight in gleaming metallic armor, flanked by a large faithful dog lying on the ground. Above the central group, chubby and winged putti descend from the sky to weave a flowery garland suspended from a stone portico overgrown with ivy. On the right, three young naked children play merrily guiding a white lamb with curly fleece in the middle of a green and wild undergrowth. A majestic forest landscape opens in the background under a bright and serene sky.:::::This creation highlights the Flemish master’s exceptional mastery of color and glazes, particularly in the brilliance of the armor and the gentle skin of the children. His use of oil painting gives the fabrics an incredible tactile richness. The sense of rhythm creates an incomparable visual harmony.