Rest on the Flight into Egypt 1792

William Ward created this mezzotint, “Rest on the Flight into Egypt”, sometime around the turn of the 19th century. In it, we see the holy family pausing during their escape to Egypt, as recounted in the Gospel of Matthew. But what does this image tell us about its own time and place? Ward was working in England, where religious institutions had long held enormous power. Yet, by this time, new ideas about reason and individual liberty were reshaping society. The image subtly reflects this tension. The scene is ostensibly religious. However, Ward gives it an earthy, sentimental spin. Mary is not a distant icon, but a weary, breastfeeding mother. Joseph is a simple, protective father. To understand this work, we must look at the complex interplay between religious tradition, emerging social values, and the institutions that shaped artistic production and reception in late 18th and early 19th century England. Accessing archives, publications, and other period documents helps to illuminate these contexts and the ways they informed the creation and interpretation of art.