Artwork

The Supper at Emmaus

The Supper at Emmaus, by Jean-Louis Forain, chalk, 1912
The Supper at Emmaus, by Jean-Louis Forain, chalk, 1912

The Supper at Emmaus is a chalk drawing by Jean-Louis Forain. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Supper at Emmaus is a drawing created by Jean-Louis Forain around 1912 using watercolor and colored chalks on laid Van Gelder paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a biblical scene, showing a group of people in old-fashioned clothing gathered around a table, their attention focused on an unclear central element.

Technique & Style

Forain's use of watercolor and colored chalks achieves a soft, contemplative effect, characterized by muted colors, including blues and browns, and a blurred background.

Context

Forain was a French artist known for his work across multiple media, including watercolor, pastel, and printmaking, and enjoyed significant commercial success during his lifetime.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jean-Louis Forain

Artist

Jean-Louis Forain

Jean-Louis Forain (French pronunciation: ; 23 October 1852 – 11 July 1931) was a French Impressionist painter and printmaker, working in media including oils, watercolour, pastel, etching and lithograph.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.