c. 18th century
Rest in Egypt
A. Claude Philippe de Thubières comte de Caylus
@aclaudephilippedethubiarescomtedecaylusHarvard Art Museums
Harvard Art MuseumsListen to curator's interpretation
Curatorial notes
Editor: This is "Rest in Egypt" by A. Claude Philippe de Thubières comte de Caylus. It's a delicate drawing, all in thin, wispy lines. It has this dreamlike, almost ethereal quality to it. What story do you think the artist is trying to tell here? Curator: Ah, yes! It feels like a fleeting memory, doesn't it? Caylus was deeply interested in antiquity. I see it as a personal meditation on a biblical journey. The Holy Family, pausing amidst a lush, imagined landscape, a safe haven perhaps. Editor: Safe haven... I like that. Curator: What strikes you most about it? Perhaps the way he uses line to create depth, or the ambiguity of the figures themselves? Editor: The line work is definitely mesmerizing. Thanks, I'll be looking at other works by Caylus. Curator: Excellent! Keep following those lines.