Supper at Emmaus c. 17th century

Editor: This is Antoine Masson's "Supper at Emmaus," an engraving from the late 17th century, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's got a really intimate, almost theatrical quality. What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: Beyond its biblical subject, consider the social function. Prints like this circulated widely. How did this image reinforce religious doctrine and social hierarchies in a domestic setting? Who was its intended audience? Editor: So, it's less about the spiritual moment and more about the social role of the image? Curator: Precisely. Ask yourself: how did displaying such an image contribute to one's social standing and religious identity? Editor: That’s a really interesting way to look at it. I hadn't thought about the function of art in the home back then. Curator: Considering the public life of images changes how we interpret their meaning and impact.