Letter to Editor: Religious Symbolism of Caravaggio

THE TELEGRAPH
By Jo Noble

'The Supper at Emmaus’, 1601 by Caravaggio

I was interested to read the American artist George Condo's comments regarding The Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio (Review, October 15). This is a naturalistic everyday scene, but there are many symbols in this image. The man standing and looking on in doubt alludes to the acknowledgement that many people will not believe that Christ is the Son of God. The man's shadow hangs on the wall behind Christ, giving Christ a halo. The outstretched arms of St James (wearing a shell) confirm the astonishment that Christ has risen and returned. The grapes are a symbol of Christ's blood and the bread that He is blessing refers to the bread of life. Many religious images had rotting fruit painted in them symbolising original sin, but the presence of the pomegranate symbolises Christ's Resurrection. [link]