Christ at Emmaus: The Larger Plate

In the later interpretation of Christ at Emmaus, Rembrandt’s artistic maturity and storytelling skills are clearly revealed. Here on a larger scale, Christ provides the stable focal point, and his body language reinforces his role as the main character. Christ with his outstretched hands forming a triangle is shown to be calm while his disciples react with sudden recognition. The scene is placed in a stage-like setting with a large drape used to emphasize the theatricality of the event.

For the original copper plate Rembrandt used to print this work, the artist drew into a protective wax coating; then the exposed design was “bit” into the plate with acid. After the etched image was filled with ink, the paper was placed on top of the plate and printed under pressure. The printed image is the reverse (left to right) of the plate.