The Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called Guercino

National Gallery of Art

The image shows three figures prominently, along with a child. The person on the left is seated, holding a baby in their arms, with their whole upper body visible. The person's hair is wavy, and their facial features appear soft and attentive while they look at the child. They are dressed in loose, flowing garments. To the right, another person is kneeling, attending to a bundle or pot, with their back turned. This person's attire is similar, with long sleeves and a flowing garment. An angelic figure with wings appears in the background, with facial features partially obscured by their positioning and hair slightly wavy. The background includes architectural elements like buildings with pointed rooftops and a church steeple, surrounded by trees and foliage that frame the scene. There is a donkey lying nearby, and a tree extends its branches across the top of the image.