Rest on the Flight into Egypt (Barocci)

Rest on the Flight into Egypt is an oil on canvas paining by Italian painter Federico Barocci, created c. 1573. It is held in the Pinacoteca Vaticana.

Description
The painting depicts an episode from the early life of Jesus, the Rest on the Flight into Egypt, a usual subject in Catholic art. The scene is shown from a simple and familiar point of view so as to invite devotion among the faithful. In the center, the Virgin Mary, who is seated, draws water. Behind her, Joseph holds out a branch with a few cherries from a tree to Jesus. The straw hat, the flask, the food bag and the donkey, at the right, contribute to create an atmosphere of intimacy. The presence of cherries, however, are a symbol prefiguring the Passion of Christ.