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Secondary sourcePainting1601

Supper at Emmaus

Caravaggio · 1601

Caravaggio's painting depicts the risen Jesus revealing himself to two disciples as he breaks bread at Emmaus.

The painting shows Jesus after his resurrection, recognized by his disciples as he breaks bread at Emmaus.

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Caravaggio's painting Supper at Emmaus. A bearded man in a green cloak, at left, and an elderly man in a brown vest, at right, gesture with outstretched arms at a table with a roast chicken, bread, fruit and wine. A young man in red and white stands behind, and a bearded figure in a white cap stands at the back.
Caravaggio, Supper at Emmaus, 1601. National Gallery, London.

About this source

What it is

Painted by Caravaggio in 1601 and now in London's National Gallery, this work shows the resurrected Jesus at a table with two disciples, moments before he vanishes from their sight, based on the Gospel of Luke.

Why it matters

Created more than 1,500 years after the events described, the painting reflects how a 17th-century artist imagined the moment of recognition during a resurrection appearance. Jesus is shown beardless, unusual in Caravaggio's work, possibly referencing a Gospel passage describing him appearing "in another form." Hidden symbols, like a fish shape formed by shadows, add Christian meaning to an ordinary meal scene.

Look closer

  • Why might Caravaggio have painted Jesus without a beard here, unlike in his other works?
  • What effect does the dramatic lighting and the disciple's outstretched arms have on how you read the scene?
  • What symbols can you find hidden in the still-life objects on the table, and what might they mean?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Jesus Christ on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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