Maaltijd te Emmaüs 1779

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print titled 'Maaltijd te Emmaüs' or 'Meal at Emmaus', the dimensions are almost square. Within the circular composition, light and shadow articulate the scene; the figures around the table are illuminated by a soft glow from the chandelier above, while the background remains subtly darker. The artist masterfully uses line and shading to create a sense of depth and volume, particularly noticeable in the folds of the clothing and the texture of the surrounding objects. Chodowiecki’s rendering of this biblical scene reflects Enlightenment values, where clarity and moral instruction were prized. The circle, a shape often associated with wholeness, encloses the scene, framing it as a moment of spiritual reflection. The work also exists as a semiotic structure, where everyday objects like the table, bread and chandelier, carry symbolic weight referring to concepts of nourishment, community, and divine presence.