While the holy family rest on the way to Egypt, an angel bends a palm tree to provide them with dates. Etching.

The story of the palm tree bending down at the will of the infant Christ to furnish the holy family with dates is told in chapters 20-1 of the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew. According to Louis Réau in 'Iconographie de l'art chrétien' (Paris 1957, vol. 2, pp. 278-9), the scene was understood as a depiction of paradise regained

Mary breast feeds Christ while Joseph rests on his staff, looking up at the angel

1 print : etching ; platemark 21.3 x 15.5 cm

Wellcome Collection 22376i