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Preview of
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ATTRACTIONS
SNEAK PEEK: Next time,
MORE SUPPER
AT EMMAUS
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Through the strong contrast of light and dark, Caravaggio (#1 and 2) achieves a powerful sense of tension. In #2, the view is open to us, inviting us to participate in the event, pulling us into the scene. It is the moment when Jesus reveals himself to the two disciples who are still coming to terms with Jesus’ crucifixion and their reaction is of amazement and shock. Cleophas, head forward and gripping the sides of his chair, is about to stand in disbelief. The other disciples, a shell pin on his vest, symbolic of the pilgrim, has his arms outstretched in a gesture of happiness and astonishment.
I once read that there is meaning in the still life on the table, a basket of fruit, precariously positioned at the edge of the table. The apple, which has begun rotting, is symbolic of the sin and fall of man. The grapes allude to the wine, symbolic of the Eucharistic wine, the blood of Christ. The shadow at the right of the basket, in the form of a fish, might refer to Jesus’ first disciples whom he called to be “fishers of men”. In this way, with still life, Caravaggio supports and strengthens the story he tells us.
Thanks for posting, great stuff. It is such an awesome Bible story. Their hearts were burning as they listened to him and they still couldn’t understand. Jesus obviously could have said who he was right away but he doesn’t. He is like a good teacher who wants the student to come up with the answer on their own.
I loved the Carpaccio and looked up a little of the history. The Venetian banker who commissioned it is thought to be sitting next to a Turk who has converted to Christianity. I also loved the history of the painting’s restoration. Thanks again.
https://www.savevenice.org/project/vittore-carpaccio-supper-at-emmaus
Lovely selections - I wonder at the similar characterizations of the two men of Emmaus in many of these paintings, one young, and the other elder bearded and balding.
From scripture there is nothing specific about ages, but I’ve always had the thought that they were two younger men, and that upon Jesus ‘no longer being with them’, they got up and not just returned, but beat feet back to Jerusalem! At least a good five mile race-walk :)
I just noticed something funny. It’s because most of the artists had no awareness of Jewish customs. Many of the pictures of bread were leavened bread or rolls, not the unleavened bread that would be eaten and broken at this time, the fourth day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.