De maaltijd te Emmaüs

About this artwork

plaatrand: hoogte 246 mm x breedte 194 mm

Art Historical Context

" De maaltijd te Emmaüs" (The Supper at Emmaus) is a 1765 etching by the Dutch artist Jacobus Buys. The work depicts the poignant biblical moment when the resurrected Christ reveals himself to two disciples during a meal in Emmaus. Rendered in a compact format measuring just 246 by 194 millimeters, the print captures this intimate scene with the fine, expressive lines characteristic of eighteenth-century Dutch etching. Buys, active in Amsterdam during the later Dutch Golden Age tradition, specialized in both paintings and graphic works that often explored religious and historical themes. Etching as a medium was especially valued at the time for its ability to produce detailed, reproducible images that could reach a broader audience beyond the walls of churches or private collections. This print likely served both devotional and educational purposes, allowing viewers to reflect on themes of recognition, faith, and revelation. The modest scale and precise technique invite close looking, rewarding the viewer with subtle tonal contrasts that heighten the emotional drama of the encounter. Today, such etchings offer valuable insight into how biblical stories continued to resonate in Enlightenment-era Europe.

About the Artist

Jacobus Buys · 1724–1801

Comment on works: Portraits; History; Genre; Vignettes