The Supper at Emmaus by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio is an oil painting on canvas made in two versions, one of which is dated 1601 and is in the National Gallery in London, while the other dates from 1606 and is in the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan. The artwork depicts the moment when the risen Jesus joins two disciples, Cleopas and another disciple, at supper in Emmaus, as described in the Gospel of Luke.
The diners sit at a table laid with a basket of fruit, a cooked chicken and a jug of wine. Jesus, at the centre, blesses the bread, a gesture that reveals his identity to the disciples. Cleopas is on the left, perhaps Saint James the Great on the right, and the innkeeper is standing. Cleopas rises in surprise, while the other disciple spreads his arms as a sign of reverence. Caravaggio uses chiaroscuro to create depth and realism. The light comes from above, illuminating only certain parts of the scene and drawing the viewer in. The scene alludes to the Eucharist and the Christian sacraments. The colours and the position of the hands create a sense of spatial depth and emotional involvement.
Unique quality material
Print on handmade Amalfi paper Sheet size: 29 x 42 cm (11.4 x 16.5 in) With frame: 31 x 44 cm (12.2 x 17.3 in) Material: artwork printed on very fine handmade Amalfi paper with deckled edges Frame: light brown beech wood and wood pulp, handmade
How an Amalfi art print is made, what the frame is like, what museum glass is, how long shipping takes, and how returns work: we’ve gathered all the answers on a single page.
