The Rest on the Flight into Egypt

This fine Italianate landscape was painted after Swanevelt’s return from Rome, where he resided between 1629 and early 1644. His close relationship to Claude during this period is reflected in the sense of natural light, while the Italian influence can be felt in the warm glow of the sunset as it catches the edges of the clouds and foliage. Works in this guise helped propagate the ‘ideal landscape’ in northern Europe.