Christ at Emmaus: the Larger Plate

Christ at Emmaus: the Larger Plate is a significant print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1654. This masterful religious scene showcases the artist’s advanced skill in combining multiple intaglio techniques: traditional etching, the crisp lines achieved with the burin, and the rich, velvety burr characteristic of drypoint. This complex use of media allowed the Dutch artist to achieve unparalleled depth and dramatic variation in tone, defining the artistic style of the period spanning 1651 to 1700. The scene depicts the moment when the resurrected Christ breaks bread with two astonished disciples, illuminating the figure of Christ while plunging the surrounding space into shadow.

Rijn deliberately focuses the viewer’s attention using intense chiaroscuro, a technique where light and dark contrast dramatically. Christ is presented centrally, bathed in a celestial light that contrasts sharply with the deep shadows cast by the architecture and the attending servant. This dramatic emphasis is characteristic of Rijn’s mature style, where spiritual revelation is conveyed through human gesture and controlled illumination rather than overt spectacle. The careful rendering of textures, particularly in the drapery and the rough wooden table, anchors the miraculous event in a familiar, almost humble setting, typical of Protestant sensibility during the Dutch Golden Age.

This piece, considered one of Rijn's most powerful interpretations of the New Testament narrative, demonstrates why his prints remain central to the history of graphic arts. The work showcases the technical evolution of printmaking during the mid-17th century. The enduring quality of works produced during the 1651 to 1700 period ensures their inclusion in major institutions worldwide. This specific impression is housed within the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, offering scholars and the public an invaluable reference point for studying the complexities of Rijn's celebrated career.