Rest on the Flight into Egypt - Bernardino Passeri

A detailed 1581 etching by Bernardino Passeri depicting the Holy Family resting during their flight to Egypt, rendered with characteristic Mannerist drapery and cross-hatching.

This etching and engraving by Bernardino Passeri, dated 1581, depicts the Holy Family during their journey to Egypt. The composition follows the traditional iconography of the Rest on the Flight, where the figures find shelter under a large tree. The Virgin Mary sits centrally, cradling the Christ Child, while an angel attends to them. Saint Joseph is positioned to the right, appearing weary from the travel. A donkey, essential to the narrative of their journey, is visible in the background.

Passeri employs a characteristic Mannerist approach to the figures and drapery. The folds of the clothing are exaggerated and fluid, creating a sense of movement that contrasts with the stillness of the scene. The shading is achieved through dense cross-hatching, which provides volume to the forms and depth to the wooded setting. The inclusion of a Latin inscription at the base, referencing the dream of Joseph and the flight to Egypt, aligns with the period practice of using prints to disseminate religious narratives to a wider audience.

The print reflects the technical proficiency of Roman printmakers in the late sixteenth century. Passeri, who was active in Rome, produced numerous works that circulated widely. The attention to detail, from the texture of the tree bark to the delicate features of the figures, demonstrates the precision required in copperplate engraving. The work remains a clear example of the stylistic tendencies of the era, where naturalism is balanced with a degree of artifice in the arrangement of figures and the treatment of light. This print offers a view into the devotional art of the Counter-Reformation, providing a quiet, contemplative moment within a larger biblical story.