A work of art depicting today's Gospel (Easter Wednesday)
Caravaggio (c.1571-1610), The Supper at Emmaus, 1606, 145 x 171 cm, Milano, Pinacoteca di Brera
“Now while he was with them at the table, he took the bread and said the blessing [...] And their eyes were opened and they recognised him” (Luke 24, 30-31). This painting captures extraordinary well both the intimacy and the sacred nature of this moment. The dim light of the room and the plain colours of the evening are broken by the strong light coming from an outside source. It illuminates the hand of Jesus blessing the bread, as well as his face and those of the disciples on his left along with the innkeepers. We can only guess the gesture of surprise mixed with veneration of the other disciple who is placed against the light.
This painting is far less dramatic and colourful than Caravaggio’s first version of the subject (National Gallery London). Some sadness on the faces of the innkeepers recall the recent suffering of Christ while that of the disciple shows that “his heart is burning out within him”.
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