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 that, Alba. That was fun!
Fascinating! Thank you.