Christ at Emmaus: the Larger Plate
1654
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows three people at a table, sharing a meal. The man at the center has a long beard and looks thoughtful, while the others lean in, listening. Light streams in from the top left, making the scene feel warm and intimate. Notice how the lines are all over the place—some rough, some sharp—giving the drawing texture and depth. The artist used different tools to create this effect. Next, check out etching, drypoint, aquatint to see how these techniques work.