Artwork
Supper at Emmaus
Supper at Emmaus is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work belongs to the religious art genre, reflecting Counter-Reformation emphases on visual storytelling of sacred narratives.
The painting depicts the biblical moment of Christ revealing himself to his disciples at Emmaus after the Resurrection. The scene draws from Luke 24, where the risen Christ is recognized through the breaking of bread. Symbolically, it emphasizes themes of recognition, spiritual revelation, and the presence of the divine in ordinary acts.
The composition centers on the shared meal, underscoring communion as a conduit for divine manifestation. The work belongs to the religious art genre, reflecting Counter-Reformation emphases on visual storytelling of sacred narratives.
Technique & Style
Painted on canvas using oil pigments, the work depicts a biblical scene with figures seated around a table in a domestic interior. The composition emphasizes chiaroscuro and naturalistic gesture, reflecting 17th-century religious narrative painting conventions. The canvas measures 148 cm by 202.5 cm, a scale that supports the intimate yet theatrical staging typical of Dutch Golden Age religious subjects.
History & Provenance
The work was created in 1650 as an oil painting on canvas and was commissioned as a religious artwork. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, which provides its current location and provenance. The painting measures 148 cm in height and 202.5 cm in width, reflecting its original dimensions and medium.
Overview
The work, titled Supper at Emmaus, is an oil painting that depicts three male figures gathered around a modest table in a dim interior. One figure leans forward, examining a small object; another sits holding a piece of bread, while the third gazes toward the light falling on his face. The tabletop holds a cup, a knife, a loaf of bread and a spherical object resembling a globe.
Artist & collection
