Dinggedicht: Le repas à Emmaus by Jean-Louis Forain (1909)

(for Richard Burdett)

A sketch of an etching emphasizing the outline nature of experience, scarce white vertical lines on paper denoting light, the face facing us unclear against it, limbs and dress scarcely delineated, the lack of colour but an echo of his guidance, the reverse chiaroscuro of the old theme and the lack of background prophesying his disappearance.

The two men at the table will be surprised when they recognize their new companion on the road.

‘How far is it to Emmaus?’ That is how the conversation began.

‘Dinggedicht: ‘Le repas à Emmaus’ Jean-Louis Forain’
© copyright text and translation Mary Burdett-Jones 2023