The Supper at Emmaus
The artist
Caravaggio, an Italian painter famous for dramatic bright light against deep dark shadows.
What you see
Two travelers are amazed at dinner when they suddenly recognize the friend sharing their meal.
The story
Painted around 1601, it captures the exact surprising second the men realize who is sitting at their table.
The style
Caravaggio used a spotlight effect, with strong light bursting from the dark to freeze the burst of surprise.
Look closer
One man throws his arms wide while a basket of fruit tips at the table's edge, as if about to fall toward you.
Where to see it
You can visit it at the National Gallery in London, where its lifelike drama still stops visitors in their tracks.
Fun fact
Caravaggio painted the fruit and food so realistically that you can almost tell each piece is ripe or old.