Christ at Emmaus: the Larger Plate

Christ at Emmaus: the Larger Plate is a profound print created by the Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn in 1654. Classified as a Print, this work demonstrates Rijn's masterful handling of the intaglio medium, specifically utilizing etching, the burin, and drypoint to achieve rich textural variations and atmospheric depth. This piece illustrates the New Testament narrative (Luke 24:30-31) where the resurrected Christ, disguised as a traveler, reveals his identity to two bewildered disciples during the breaking of bread at an inn in Emmaus.

Executed during the latter half of the 17th century, a highly productive era for Dutch art, this composition emphasizes intimacy and spiritual drama. Rijn employs dramatic lighting effects characteristic of his mature style, using deep shadows (chiaroscuro) and highly controlled illumination to highlight the central figures. The drypoint technique, which leaves a burr on the copper plate, provides velvety, dark lines that contrast sharply with the delicate etched details of the surrounding architecture and the shadowy secondary figures placed deeper within the dining hall. The resulting composition focuses intently on the moment of divine recognition, capturing the astonishment and reverence of the disciples. Rijn positions the scene not in a grand, idealized setting but in a simple, almost sparse, interior, heightening the emotional and spiritual impact of the event.

This piece is recognized as one of Rijn’s most powerful religious prints from the 1651 to 1700 period. The sensitivity displayed in the portrayal of Christ’s features and the emotional intensity of the scene underscore why Rijn remains celebrated for his graphic art across Europe. As a key example of Dutch printmaking from the Golden Age, this particular impression of Christ at Emmaus: the Larger Plate is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it contributes to the institution’s comprehensive holdings of historical prints.