The Supper at Emmaus c. 1709

Benedetto Luti rendered "The Supper at Emmaus" with brown wash and heightened with white on paper. The composition, dominated by figures and architectural elements, presents a study in contrasts between the finished and the suggested. Observe how Luti uses line and shadow to define the disciples’ dramatic reactions, juxtaposed against the comparatively ethereal rendering of the background details. This technique draws our eye to the emotional core of the scene, using the semiotic weight of gesture to convey surprise and recognition. The tension between the detailed foreground and the sketch-like background creates a visual hierarchy, focusing on the immediate reactions of the disciples. Consider how this contrast destabilizes a conventional reading of space and presence. It isn't just a depiction of a biblical event, but also an exploration of perception and belief. The finished foreground acts as a stage upon which the drama of recognition unfolds, set against the bare suggestion of the architectural background. This highlights the transformative moment when faith transcends the material world.