Painting From Christian Art History - The Supper at Emmaus

The Supper at Emmaus - Caravaggio

Christian Art and Paintings History > Paintings From Christian Art History > The Supper at Emmaus

The Supper at Emmaus 1601 (Oil and egg tempera on canvas) by Caravaggio

This painting was commissioned by the Roman nobleman Ciriaco Mattei in 1601. Caravaggio painted a second more subdued version of the Supper at Emmaus about five years after the Gallery's work.

Caravaggio's innovative treatment of the subject makes this one of his most powerful works. The depiction of Christ is unusual in that he is beardless and great emphasis is given to the still life on the table. The intensity of the emotions of Christ's disciples is conveyed by their gestures and expression. The viewer too is made to feel a participant in the event. Christ is shown at the moment of blessing the bread and revealing his true identity to the two disciples.

The un exalted humanity is apt for this scene, since the human Jesus has made himself un recognizable to his disciples, and at once confirms and surmounts his humanity. Caravaggio seems to suggest that perhaps a Jesus could enter our daily encounters. The dark background envelops the tableau.

Luke 24: 30-31

30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.



Contemporary Christian Oil Paintings by Christian Artist Rudi Carstens