Euntes in Emaus (Landscape with Pilgrims at Emmaus), from "The Large Landscapes"
Original title: Euntes in Emaus (Landscape with Pilgrims at Emmaus), from "The Large Landscapes"
kurzbeschreibung
Two disciples and their companion walk the road to Emmaus through a broad river landscape. Pieter Bruegel the Elder made this etching around 1555–56 as part of the series 'The Large Landscapes', produced in collaboration with the Antwerp publisher Hieronymus Cock. Combining etching and engraving, the print presents an expansive view with a city and waterways.
Description
Several figures move along a bank path beside a river; some talk among themselves, others rest in the grass. Rocky stretches line the water, while in the distance a walled city with various buildings rises. Trees and shrubs mark the transition to the city's silhouette. Clouds streak the sky, and at the horizon a sunrise or sunset is suggested, emphasized by the handling of light. The image remains in shades of gray and white, as the printing technique dictates.
Context
The series 'The Large Landscapes' was made around 1555–56, while Bruegel was working in Antwerp for Hieronymus Cock. It comprises twelve landscape etchings with wide panoramas into which biblical or allegorical figures are inserted. Bruegel could draw on impressions from his Italian journey (roughly 1552–55), especially views of the Alps. The biblical story of the Emmaus disciples (Luke 24:13–35) is set within a Flemish landscape of the period, as was customary at the time.
Impact
Breadth and calm define the print; even hatching and a balanced arrangement create an almost meditative mood. Against the overwhelming natural setting, the small figures in the foreground look modest, which brings out the landscape's grandeur. The light at the horizon gives the view atmospheric depth and draws the viewer's gaze into the distance.
Technique
Etching and additional engraving come together here, allowing very fine and precise linework. Bruegel used the etching process for soft transitions and atmospheric effects, while engraving contributes strong contours and details. The print was pulled on paper; the plate measures about 32.5 × 43 cm, large for its time.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)