The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 24, 2025

Supper at Emmaus

c. 1480

Israhel van Meckenem

(German, c. 1440–1503)
Germany
engraving
Sheet: 21 x 14.7 cm (8 1/4 x 5 13/16 in.)
Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1924.512
Catalogue raisonné: Hollstein 153.V; Lehrs IX.164.153
Location: 101B Prints & Drawings

Did You Know?

Artists often use views through rooms to create a sense of perspective. Here, this technique allows the viewer to follow Christ from the garden, to the bridge, and into the inn.

Description

In the New Testament, the Supper at Emmaus takes place after Christ’s Resurrection, when two of his apostles invite him—whom they suppose is a pilgrim and stranger—to dine with them. Israhel van Meckenem staged the scene at an inn, where the three are served food and drink. Christ breaks the bread and blesses it, a gesture that reminds the two disciples of the Last Supper. They thus recognize Christ as their resurrected savior. Van Meckenem contrasted the knowing eyes and gestures of the disciples with the indifferent actions of the servants who carry and pour the wine.
  • ?–1924
    (Frederick Keppel & Co., Inc., New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH)
    May 7, 1924–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • In Vino Veritas (In Wine, Truth). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 7, 2025-January 11, 2026).
    40th Anniversary Exhibition of the Print Club of Cleveland. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (December 3, 1959-January 20, 1960).
    15th Century German Engravings. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 15-December 11, 1938).
    15th Century German and Netherlands Prints from the Museum Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 11-28, 1935).
    Italian and German Prints of the 15th Century. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 29, 1933-January 3, 1934).
    Miscellaneous Prints and Drawings from the Museum Collections. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (June 23-October 23, 1924).
  • {{cite web|title=Supper at Emmaus|url=false|author=Israhel van Meckenem|year=c. 1480|access-date=24 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1924.512