Maaltijd in Emmaüs 1620

This etching, "Maaltijd in Emmaüs," was made in 1620 by Dirk van Hoogstraten. Its lines were created by carefully incising a metal plate, likely copper, with tools like burins and needles, then inking it to transfer the design to paper. The material effect is one of crispness, a kind of stark beauty. See how the artist renders the scene’s various materials, from the cool, metallic gleam of kitchenware, to the warmth of textiles, and the lushness of garden foliage. The etching captures not just a biblical scene, but the everyday labor involved in preparing a meal. The detailed rendering of kitchen tools suggests a culture that values domestic craft and the skills of working-class individuals. By focusing on the ways in which the work's material influences its appearance, we can see how traditional distinctions between fine art and craft are challenged, prompting us to consider the social context in which the artwork was created.