Artwork Page for The Rest on the Flight into Egypt (recto)

Details / Information for The Rest on the Flight into Egypt (recto)

The Rest on the Flight into Egypt (recto)

c. 1879–80

Luc-Olivier Merson

(French, 1846–1920)
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Culture
France, 19th century
Medium
gray and graphite wash, with scraping and traces of black chalk
Support
Cream(1) wove paper, perimeter mounted with Japanese paper strips to cream(2) wove paper
Measurements
Sheet: 14.5 x 25.5 cm (5 11/16 x 10 1/16 in.); Secondary Support: 27.9 x 39 cm (11 x 15 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1997.178.a
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

It is possible that this drawing served as a model for a print, but the best-known printed reproduction of the painting differs from the sheet in several minor details.

Description

This drawing relates to Luc-Olivier Merson's Rest on the Flight into Egypt, among the most popular paintings exhibited at the 1879 Paris Salon. This dream-like, highly unusual image from the familiar bible story shows Mary and Christ resting peacefully in the arms of a Sphinx, while Joseph sleeps near their dwindling fire. In the wake of its extraordinary success, Merson made several painted replicas of the work. Here, the composition is identical, but reversed, suggesting that it may have been an alternative version of the canvas.
A horizontally oriented gray and graphite wash drawing depicts the Virgin Mary and baby Christ, both with light skin tones, resting against the chest of a colossal, human-headed sphinx. Mary cradles the infant while seated on the statue's paws on our right. In the middle ground, Joseph, also with a light skin tone, lies face down on the sand beside a standing donkey. A dark, textured sky fills the upper composition.

The Rest on the Flight into Egypt (recto)

c. 1879–80

Luc-Olivier Merson

(French, 1846–1920)
France, 19th century

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