Rest on the Flight into Egypt

This charming engraving by Jan Muller, one of the very few after his own design, shows the Mary, the mother of Jesus, seated under a tree, looking down at the Christ child she cradles in her arms. The two are bathed in light emanating from his halo, while their surroundings are largely left in shadow. Joseph is relegated to the background, as is usual, here taking care of the family’s mule. This story of the flight from Bethlehem to Egypt to escape King Herod’s persecution is told briefly in the New Testament book of Matthew (2:13-14) and was elaborated on by early Christian and medieval theologians. The inscription below the image is a rebuke of King Herod, and is identical to that on a very rare etching by Muller’s Amsterdam contemporary Gerrit Pietersz. Sweelink (accession nos. 68.681.8 and 1974.547.7)

The great majority of Muller’s engravings are after designs by other artists, and are in the virtuosic engraving style originated by the Dutch Mannerist Hendrick Goltzius. Here, in contrast, both the composition and technique are more restrained. Rather than the extreme swelling and tapering line most common in Goltzius’s prints, Muller uses an elegant, flowing line for his hatching, enhancing the sense of calm and serenity engendered by the subject.