Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Supper at Emmaus - Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn


As much as I love Caravaggio, this last oil panting by Rembrandt is my favorite of the Supper at Emmaus.

4 comments:

Jubilant Wife said...

Can I ask why it's your favorite?
Is it the composition, the lighting, the realism...? Just curious!

Bethany said...

While first...I LOVE Caravaggio. Just to make sure that is understood. :-)

But I just don't like his Jesus in his 1601 "Supper at Emmaus". That may be a rather immature reason... I love this second Rembrandt one because the guy looks so surprised and Jesus is a really cool silhouette. The lighting is really amazing.
Caravaggio's 1606 "Supper at Emmaus" is beautiful, but I just don't like it as much. If he'd painted one with the drama of "The Calling of St. Matthew", I would love that. :-)

Rembrandt's lighting and realism is always pretty amazing. Caravaggio's is beautiful too.

As far as an educated answer? I don't really have one. :-)

Jubilant Wife said...

It's good enough for me!

caravggio admirer said...

Caravaggio arrived in Rome in 1592, a penniless street urchin - only 18 years later he painted The Supper at Emmaus. Wow! Genius.