Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Joseph and Mary rest on their journey to Egypt. They had been warned that king Herod considered their newborn son a threat and that he intended to have him killed. Mary cradles Jesus as Joseph looks on.

Young Titian made this painting around the same time he painted another episode of the Flight into Egypt.

The canvas is mounted on a wooden panel. It's first known owner was a Venetian spice merchant by the name of Bartolomeo della Nave. A few years after his death in 1632 it became property of the Habsburg family. French troops looted it after conquering Vienna in 1809. From 1878 on it was in the collection of a British marquess. It was stolen in 1995 but returned to the family in 2002 after the thief left it at a London bus stop. It was sold for £15m at an auction in 2024.