The “Rest on the Flight into Egypt” (Pinacoteca Nazionale di Ferrara) was commissioned to Garofalo in 1525 by Lionello del Pero for his chapel in the church of San Francesco: the commissioner appears on the right, adoring the Child. Considered by critics one of Garofalo's masterpieces, the altarpiece reveals several influences: the naturalistic use of lights recalls the tradition of Brescia (Northern Italy), some iconographic elements, like the ruins of the column, are an open reference to classical tradition, while warm shades evoke Giorgione. Also the light has a symbolic value, since it rescues the protagonists of this sacred representation from the semi-darkness.

Copyrighted image: "Under concession of the Ministry of Cultural Activities, Heritage and Tourism – heritage of Fine Arts and Landscape of Bologna, Modena, Reggio Emilia and Ferrara”.