Gerard David was a painter and
manuscript illuminator in the Netherlands
who was known for his brilliant use of color. He was completely forgotten until
the middle of the 19th century when details of his life and work
were brought to light.
In this painting, The Rest on the Flight to Egypt, Blessed
Mother is resting on a ledge of rock and offering a bunch of grapes to the
child Jesus who is sitting in her lap. Despite the cares of the hasty and
unexpected journey into a strange land Mary looks calm and peaceful, knowing
that this flight is part of God’s plan. The Child looks content and is happily
grabbing a handful of fruit to eat.
In the background we see Saint Joseph endeavoring
to knock down some chestnuts from a tree to provide some more substantial food
for the family to eat. The burden of this journey falls heavily upon him for it
is his responsibility to care for the Mother of God and for God’s Only Begotten
Son. This is a wonderful example of the labors of St.
Joseph the Worker, whose feast we celebrate on May 1st.
Saint
Joseph, Pray for us!
