Artwork
IN ÆDIBUS IABACHIIS
IN ÆDIBUS IABACHIIS is a print by François Chauveau. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
François Chauveau’s 1650 paper print reproduces a composition originally painted by Titian, illustrating the biblical episode of Christ’s appearance to his disciples at Emmaus. The image is titled in Latin, IN ÆDIBUS IABACHIIS, indicating the setting of Levi’s house, and presents a modestly sized, detailed scene rendered in the print medium.
Subject & Meaning
The work gathers six figures around a long table, where the central figure—identified as Christ—sits calmly in a simple robe. The surrounding companions display a range of attire, from plain to more elaborate, suggesting varied social status. A dog rests beneath the table, adding a domestic touch, while the setting evokes the hospitality described in the Gospel narrative.
Technique & Style
Chauveau translates Titian’s painterly composition into a monochrome print, employing line work and tonal contrasts that echo chiaroscuro principles. Tall pillars frame the interior, a window opens onto a landscape, and a small framed picture hangs on the wall, all rendered with careful attention to depth and spatial recession despite the medium’s limitations.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑seventeenth century, the print reflects the period’s interest in disseminating renowned paintings through reproducible formats. While the original Titian source remains in a private collection, Chauveau’s version circulated among collectors and scholars, contributing to the broader diffusion of the Emmaus theme across Europe.
Artist & collection
