Rest on the Flight to Egypt

c. 1879

Rest on the Flight to Egypt, c. 1879. Luc-Olivier Merson (French, 1846–1920). Charcoal; sheet: 36.9 x 51.5 cm (14 1/2 x 20 1/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of William Kelly Simpson 2018.74 This charcoal sketch relates to an oil painting that was tremendously popular at the 1879 Paris Salon. In both works, Luc-Olivier Merson depicted the Holy Family finding refuge in a massive sphinx sculpture during the rest on the flight into Egypt. The drawing may have been an independent work or, more likely, a study for the painting or a related print. Despite the detail of his depictions on the subject, Luc-Olivier Merson never traveled to North Africa.