Christ at Emmaus: the larger plate
1654
17th Century
8 1/4 x 6 1/4 in. (21 x 15.9 cm)
Rembrandt van Rijn,
Dutch,
(1606–1669)
Object Type:
PRINTS
Creation Place:
Europe
Medium and Support:
Etching with drypoint
Credit Line:
Gift of Dr. & Mrs. William K. Sherwin
Accession Number:
82-G-1222
Label for "Printmakers of the Baroque: 17th-Century Explorations of Space and Light", La Salle University Art Museum, December 16, 2013 – February 28th, 2014:
Rembrandt depicts the resurrected Christ at the table after breaking bread. His two companions have heretofore not recognized Him. One suddenly figures it out and reacts by getting on his feet, hands together in prayer. The other, who is the object of Christ’s direct gaze, is just beginning to understand. This man falls back, his hat falling from his head. A third character, probably the innkeeper’s son, walks down a staircase in the foreground. He is curious about what is happening but essentially remains unaware of the revelation.
The light, emanating from the body of Christ, and particularly from his halo, falls on the figures in meaningful ways. The man in prayer is almost fully in light, while the boy is nearly fully in shadow. Light and shadow dapple the startled man.
Rembrandt revisited this subject of the Supper at Emmaus a number of times, as he often did with other biblical stories. He sometimes responded to other artist’s versions of the stories and sometimes to his own. This habit allowed him to explore fresh insights into the biblical stories.
-Olivia Abney, '15
-Susan Dixon, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Fine Arts
Current Location:
Art Museum : 17 C Gallery
by Artist
by Artist
