The Bible in Pictures

The moment of recognition. One disciple flings his arms wide, the other pushes himself up from his chair, and the innkeeper understands nothing. At the front a basket of fruit stands half over the edge of the table.

Ciriaco Mattei paid Caravaggio for the picture in January 1602. Christ is young and beardless, which may explain why the disciples did not know him; Mark's Gospel says he appeared “in another form”.

The basket stands half over the edge of the table and seems about to fall into our space. The fruit is autumn fruit, though Easter is in spring.

The basket stands half over the edge of the table and seems about to fall into our space. The fruit is autumn fruit, though Easter is in spring.

The disciple's arms span the depth of the picture, from the wall to our side of the canvas. On his chest he wears the shell of a pilgrim.

The disciple's arms span the depth of the picture, from the wall to our side of the canvas. On his chest he wears the shell of a pilgrim.