10 August

Dear Friends,

The Supper at Emmaus (1602) by Caravaggio

https://www.ulstermuseum.org/whats-on/national-treasures-caravaggio-belfast 

This summer Belfast’s Ulster Museum is exhibiting Caravaggio’s The Supper at Emmaus. The painting is on loan from the National Gallery in London. 

The Baroque master has painted a canvas full of insight into how God is revealed in our world. The scene is the inn at Emmaus on the evening of the first Easter Day. Two disciples have invited the stranger, whom they met on the road, to stay with them: “Abide with us for it is toward even and the day is far spent.” Now the stranger has taken the initiative. He blesses the bread and, as he breaks it, (Wonder of wonders!) he is known in the breaking of bread. In that moment of revelation the astonishing truth dawns on the disciples. One grasps the arms of his chair intent on rising to his feet and causing his elbow with its torn cloth to push out into our space. The other disciple flings his arms wide in surprise and his left hand invades our space also. A basket of fruit poised at the edge of the table nearest the viewer is about to topple onto the floor and we are made to feel that we could reach out to steady it. 

Again Caravaggio, rogue though he was, has preached the gospel in paint. He has brought the viewer into the room and caused her and him to sit at table with Christ, a privilege, a joy and a life-changing moment.

Denis Campbell