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The Rest on the Flight into Egypt
(Baroque Europe )
This Biblical scene depicts the Holy Family resting near a river along their route on the Flight into Egypt. The branches of a palm tree visible at the left edge are the only indication of the lands through which the family passed. Indeed the fantasy architecture and even the river and waterfall to the rear indicate that the artist had no real idea about the reality of the dry landscape of Gaza and Egypt, but then neither did the contemporary viewers.
The quick, painterly brushstrokes are characteristic of the artist Giuseppe Zais (1709-1784). The colors are very fresh, although the paint surface is slightly damaged. Previously the painting was attributed to Maro Ricci (1676-1730). For more information on this painting, please see Federico Zeri's 1976 catalogue "Italian Paintings in the Walters Art Gallery," no. 454, p. 566.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore, prior to 1909 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 1967 | An Exhibition of the Treasures of The Walters Art Gallery. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton; Pace Wildenstein Gallery, New York. |
| 1962 | Landscape into Art. Atlanta Art Association, Atlanta. |
| 1953 | The Christmas Story in Art. Fort Wayne Art Museum, Indiana, Fort Wayne. |
| 1951 | The Life of Christ. The Washington County Museum, Hagerstown. |
| 1950 | The Christmas Story in the Language of Art. The Washington County Museum, Hagerstown. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| Examination | examined for condition | |
| 11/8/1943 | Treatment | coated; inpainted; surface cleaned; varnish removed or reduced |
| 7/9/1957 | Treatment | coated; inpainted; surface cleaned; varnish removed or reduced |
Geographies
Italy, Venice (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Painted surface H: 17 15/16 x W: 22 5/8 in. (45.5 x 57.4 cm); Stretcher H: 18 1/2 x W: 23 1/16 in. (47 x 58.5 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters, before 1909
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
37.281