Rest on the Flight into Egypt (awesome painting with St Joseph)

Museum of Fine Arts Boston ^ | 2018 | MFA Staff

[DoodleBob]

Rest on the Flight into Egypt, 1879
Luc Olivier Merson (French, 1846–1920)

DIMENSIONS
71.8 x 128.3 cm (28 1/4 x 50 1/2 in.)

ON VIEW
Frances Vrachos Gallery (Gallery 144)

Fleeing persecution at the hands of Roman authorities, the Holy Family takes refuge in Egypt. Joseph dozes beside a dying campfire while his donkey grazes on sparse desert grass. At left sleep the Virgin Mary and infant Christ, crowned with a halo of light. They lie in the arms of a sphinx, its eyes turned to the heavens, where the first stars begin to appear. A successful Academic artist, Merson never traveled to North Africa, but his use of archeological detail creates the illusion of an eyewitness account, breathing new life into a time-honored subject.

[Biggirl]

Like a 3D picture.

[M Kehoe]

Hi.

“But they were fleeing Herod, not the “Roman authorities.””

I was going to post that too, but considering that Herod was put into his position (tetrarch), by the Romans, the writer isn’t totally incorrect.

5.56mm

[I-ambush]

Hello. You’ve got a point

[IronJack]

Well said.

[DoodleBob]

St Joseph scored a FR hat trick...in the Religion section you'll find my post, Salvation's daily Mass posting and Mrs. Don-O's new music back-to-back.

I haven't bought a reproduction, but after having seen the original, I am torn. I cannot express to you how moving the original was to me. Mrs. DoodleBob said I was (unintentionally) rude because I stood right in front of the painting and looked up real close, and blocked others' view. Then seeing that Mercer's St. Joseph was not sleeping made my heart leap with joy because it reinforced my own view, that St Joseph was not some silent old man but a bedrock of strength.

If you get a chance to see the original, please do it. In fact seeing the original of anything is always a worthwhile quest. And as SunkenCiv noted, the MFA is a great museum.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Mary of Agreda! Really!

A favorite!!

[Mrs. Don-o]

Mary of Agreda! Really!

A favorite!!

[Slyfox]

A wealth of information.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I saw a reproduction of this somewhere, a long time ago. I can't remember where.

It made a big impression on me, though. I am amazed that you caught the subtle indications of Joseph's sleeplessness. I had that feeling too, but you caught it and put it into words.

The artist has such depth, such heart.

[SunkenCiv]

The only thing that could use improvement (and granted, I've not been there in years) is the Greek and Roman classical collection -- not least because one gets there through the Egyptian collection. If they ever build a new house, they should keep the Egyptian collection monolithic, but spread the Roman and Greek stuff throughout the rest of the museum.

[SunkenCiv]

https://mfas3.s3.amazonaws.com/objects/SC370988.jpg

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[Hebrews 11:6]

I just composed the Flight to Egypt thread for The Bible in Paintings series, which I'll post around May 1. I included Merson's gem in a prominent place, and I linked to this thread as the Image Source. I'll try to remember to ping you then.

Thanks for bringing it to my attention in June of last year.

[DoodleBob]

I’m glad I was able to be of service then and now. God Bless You.

[Hebrews 11:6]

My series has been on hiatus for two weeks, with one more to go, since I finally completed the Old Testament. I'm greatly anticipating what lies directly ahead.

Of course, while all devout Christians are focused intently on the events associated with the Atonement and Resurrection, here am I composing two dozen posts--so far--focused on the events surrounding the Nativity. It's giving me a dual personality! LOL

Thanks again, Bob--and may our Lord bless you richly.

Dan

[InkStone]

Dan, I followed back your link...

I’m a big Rodin fan, but I’ve never seen that one “Head of John the Baptist”

Thanks !

[Hebrews 11:6]

Literally, it took my breath away. Completely unexpected that anyone would have the vision to produce that. It was all I could do to keep from picking it up.