The Supper at Emmaus
XVII century. Grey-brown wash, Pencil on laid paper.Not on display
In the background to the left, on a slightly raised ceremonious platform, Christ and two disciples are seated at the table. Jesus breaks the bread, looking up, while a servant approaches him with a tray. In the foreground, a seated man and a standing woman are depicted. A cat and a dog are clearly visible.
Numerous versions of this subject painted by Orrente are preserved (Museums of Budapest and of Bilbao, private collection in Madrid, Museum of Greenville). However, none of them match this composition which seems, in technique, figures and nature, very characteristic of his hand and full of references to Bassano’s style; both in the arrangement and the types.
Pérez Sánchez, Alfonso E., Catálogo de Dibujos. Vol. I. Dibujos españoles siglos XV-XVII, Madrid, Museo del Prado, 1972, p.108
