“The Rest on the Flight into Egypt”
By: Caravaggio
1599
Oil Canvas
52.6 x 65.6 inches
Rome, Galleria Doria Pamphili
First, when looking at this painting you must look at the center of the artwork and notice that the angel is the center of the piece. We find a Madonna and Child to the right sleeping and an older Joseph on the left. This painting was peculiar for this time because it shows the angel playing an instrument. The angel is playing a song derived from the Bible book song of songs. The lyrics are a love story between bride and groom, Mary and Joseph. Along with the angel there is other symbolism going on. In the background there is a black lamb that symbolizes Jesus Christ coming into a dirty world. Along with the lamb is a dying tree, which is what the lamb hung on to die for our sins. In addition, Mary is wearing a red garment that takes your eye and she also has red hair. This could possibly be symbolic of Jesus’ blood covering her, but it is juxtaposed with her holding him. The music acts as a melody that carries the reader’s eye throughout the piece as the angel stands in the middle of the painting as a center piece you have to keep focus on it.
Resources
Caravaggio The Complete Works
by Alessandro Guasti and Franchesca Neri
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