Supper at Emmaus

"Supper at Emmaus" by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669, created in 1654, is a profound example of the artist's late style in printmaking. The work, executed using a copper etching plate, depicts the critical New Testament moment (Luke 24: 13-35) when the resurrected Christ reveals his identity to two disciples during a meal in the village of Emmaus. This particular treatment emphasizes recognition and miraculous revelation, a subject common in 17th-century religious art.

Rembrandt was renowned for his innovative and sensitive approach to etching, utilizing varied line weights and controlled application of acid to manipulate light and shadow. The use of the copper plate allowed for minute detail in the rendering of texture, from the humble setting to the expressions of awe on the faces of the disciples. In this piece, the lighting is focused intensely on Christ, who appears centrally illuminated, contrasting sharply with the surrounding darkness. This dramatic contrast, reflective of the tenebrism often employed by Baroque masters, heightens the sense of divine presence and spiritual immediacy.

The creation of accessible religious prints flourished in the Protestant Netherlands, and Rembrandt often returned to New Testament themes, employing a deeply emotional and humanistic approach that defined his career. The sensitive portrayal of the disciples’ reaction and the humble, intimate setting elevate the significance of this work beyond a simple illustration. This masterwork of Dutch printmaking is part of the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.