Artwork
Christ at Emmaus: The Larger Plate
Christ at Emmaus: The Larger Plate is a print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1654 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1922.280
- Credit line
- Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland
About this work
Overview
Rembrandt employs his characteristic chiaroscuro to focus the viewer's attention on the spiritual revelation rather than the physical setting.
Christ at Emmaus: The Larger Plate is a 1654 etching, engraving, and drypoint by Rembrandt van Rijn depicting the biblical moment from the Gospel of Luke where the resurrected Christ is recognized by two disciples during a meal in Emmaus. The composition centers on a dimly lit interior where a dramatic beam of light illuminates Christ and the table, creating a stark contrast with the surrounding shadows. Christ, seated centrally with a solemn expression, raises his hand in a gesture of blessing over the bread, while the disciple on the left recoils in awe, leaning back in his chair, and the disciple on the right stands with a staff, his face turned toward the figure of Christ.
Rembrandt employs his characteristic chiaroscuro to focus the viewer's attention on the spiritual revelation rather than the physical setting. This work represents a mature exploration of the Emmaus narrative, distinct from his earlier, more linear treatments of the subject. The artist utilizes a combination of techniques, including fine etching for details and drypoint to create rich, velvety blacks in the shadows, demonstrating his mastery of printmaking at the height of his career.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
