Caravaggio, Supper at Emmaus

Summary

In the National Gallery, Steven Zucker and Beth Harris discuss Caravaggio's 'Supper at Emmaus,' a 1601 painting depicting the moment disciples recognize the resurrected Christ during a meal. The life-sized figures and horizontal composition create an intimate setting, inviting viewers into the scene. Caravaggio's use of dramatic lighting, detailed still life, and the ordinariness of the figures emphasize the painting's emotional impact and its aim to bring the spiritual into the everyday world, reflecting the Counter-Reformation's goal of reaffirming faith.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The painting 'Supper at Emmaus' by Caravaggio is housed in the National Gallery in London and dates back to around 1601.
• 🖼️ It is a large, horizontal painting with life-sized figures, creating a sense of proximity and presence for the viewer.
• 👤 The disciples' recognition of the resurrected Christ during a meal is depicted, capturing a moment of high drama.
• 👀 The viewer's perspective is aligned with the disciple on the left, who looks towards Christ, mirroring our own gaze.
• 🤲 The painting uses a triangular composition, guiding the viewer's eyes towards Christ's face, with hands reaching out in a welcoming gesture.
• 🍇 Caravaggio's attention to detail extends to the still life elements, such as the basket of fruit, which invites the viewer into the scene.
• 🍞 The physicality and realism of the depicted objects, like the chicken and bread, are characteristic of Caravaggio's style.
• 🪑 The painting reveals the construction and joinery of the furniture, adding to the sense of realism and depth.
• 🕯️ The use of light, particularly the sharp, theatrical light on Christ's face, highlights the emotional intensity of the scene.
• 👥 The ordinariness of the figures, with their plain clothing and human imperfections, contrasts with the divine event they are experiencing.
• 🌟 The painting represents a key aspect of the Baroque period, where the divine enters the everyday world, making the spiritual immediate and relatable.

Q & A

Where is the 'Supper at Emmaus' painting located?

The 'Supper at Emmaus' painting is located in the National Gallery in London.

When was Caravaggio's 'Supper at Emmaus' created?

Caravaggio's 'Supper at Emmaus' was created around 1601.

What is the significance of the painting's horizontal orientation and life-size figures?

The horizontal orientation and life-size figures in the painting create a sense of proximity and presence for the viewer, as if they are seated at the table with the disciples.

What is the narrative depicted in the 'Supper at Emmaus'?

The narrative depicts the moment when the resurrected Christ is revealed to his disciples during a meal after his crucifixion, as he breaks the bread.

How does Caravaggio use the disciples' reactions to highlight the recognition of Christ?

Caravaggio captures the split-second reaction of the disciples upon recognizing Christ, using their expressions and gestures to convey the high drama of the moment.

What does the gesture of the disciple on the left signify?

The gesture of the disciple on the left, who is moving his chair back and looking startled, signifies a mix of surprise, fear, and realization as he recognizes Christ.

How does the painting create a sense of depth and movement?

The painting uses a forward and backward movement, with the disciples' bodies and the triangular composition directing the viewer's gaze towards Christ, creating a sense of depth and movement.

What role do the disciples' hands play in the painting?

The hands of the disciples and Christ are positioned to reach out towards the viewer, visually embracing and inviting them into the scene.

Why does Caravaggio include a detailed still life in the painting?

Caravaggio includes a detailed still life, such as the basket of fruit, to make the painting burst into the viewer's space, making it immediate, real, and emotional.

How does Caravaggio depict the physicality and ordinariness of the figures?

Caravaggio depicts the physicality and ordinariness of the figures through details like the apostle's red nose suggesting a cold and the tear in the clothing of the disciple, emphasizing their humanity and relatability.

What is the significance of the setting and the lighting in the painting?

The setting in an inn with plain furniture and the sharp, theatrical lighting on Christ's face signify the divine entering the everyday world, which is a typical Baroque theme and aligns with the Counter-Reformation's goal of making the spiritual immediate in the modern world.