Maaltijd te Emmaüs in een cartouche met twee engelen 1623 - 1676

This is François Chauveau's "Maaltijd te Emmaüs in een cartouche met twee engelen," an etching now held in the Rijksmuseum. The primary visual experience is shaped by its intricate structure, where the central scene of the meal at Emmaus is encased within an ornate cartouche. This elaborate frame, punctuated by symmetrical arrangements of angels, clouds, and decorative flourishes, creates a layered effect, guiding the viewer's eye through different symbolic registers. Chauveau masterfully uses the formal elements of line and composition to explore themes of revelation and divine presence. The radiant light above the scene, juxtaposed with the earthly setting of the meal, plays on the Baroque era's interest in contrasting the sacred and the mundane. The cartouche, typically a space for titles or emblems, here becomes an active participant in the narrative. Through this framework, Chauveau challenges fixed meanings, inviting viewers to reflect on how divine encounters are mediated through artistic representation and cultural symbols.