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Rembrandt, Landscape with the Rest on the Flight into Egypt, 1647
A wide, dark landscape with a river. At the foot of a wooded slope a small fire burns, and around it a few figures have gathered. The fire is mirrored in the water. High up on the hill a few windows are lit.
The panel is signed and dated 1647 and is Rembrandt's only painted landscape by night. The idea comes from Elsheimer's Flight into Egypt, which Rembrandt knew from an engraving. He takes over the lights and makes the family so small that one could miss them.
By the fire sit Mary with the child, Joseph, and shepherds with their animals.
Far above, lit windows: other people's houses.
