The Rest on the Flight into Egypt

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Pompeo Batoni
Born Lucca, Italy, 1708-1787

The Rest on the Flight to Egypt, c.1740

Oil on canvas
Anonymous donor, 1960
Museum Number 4-1960

This is an important picture by one of the finest Italian artists of the late 18th Century. Batoni is most famous for his portraits rather than works like this, a narrative - or story - painting.

This Biblical scene depicts the Holy Family's escape to safety into Egypt after Joseph was warned in a dream that King Herod wanted to harm the infant Christ.