Maaltijd te Emmaüs 1659 - 1704

Paul van Somer II created this piece, ‘Meal at Emmaus,’ with burin. The texture, achieved through hatching, gives the work a tangible quality, inviting us to explore its depths. The composition is structured around the table, a horizontal anchor, grounding the divine encounter. Notice how the artist uses light to guide our eyes. The illumination on Christ contrasts sharply with the shadowed faces of the other figures, heightening the dramatic tension. This use of chiaroscuro isn't just about aesthetics; it's a semiotic device, using light and dark to signify knowledge and ignorance. The scene is more than a biblical depiction; it's a study in perception and recognition. Somer plays with the ambiguity of form, challenging our understanding. The print becomes a space where the seen and unseen, the known and unknown, intersect, prompting viewers to question the nature of reality.