LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM.- A painting by the greatest artist in 16th-century Renaissance Venice, Tiziano Vecellio, more commonly known as Titian,goes on display in the Walker this Monday 29 November 2004. The painting, which has not been on public display in Britain for over 40 years, is on long-term loan from a private collector.

Xanthe Brooke, curator of European art at the Walker says: “We are delighted to be able to show this important painting at the Walker. It totally transforms our display of Venetian paintings and is a significant addition to the gallery, as we do not have a work of art by Titian in the permanent collection”.

Titian’s mastery of colour and atmosphere won him praise and patronage from courts across Italy and Europe. He painted portraits, religious and mythological scenes. This picture was created shortly before he first portrayed his most important patron, Emperor Charles V.

The supper held at the village of Emmaus, near Jerusalem, is a key biblical event (Luke 24:28-32). Christ reappears to his disciples after his Crucifixion and Resurrection, but remains unrecognised by them until he breaks and blesses the bread they are about to eat. Titian has caught on the disciples’ faces their amazement and dawning recognition of Christ’s identity. Characteristically Titian has manipulated the twilight shadows, glowing colours and soft evening light to focus on Christ’s steady gaze, directed at the elderly pilgrim, traditionally identified as the Apostle Peter.

In 1531 the painting was presented to the Doge’s Palace, where it hung over a chapel door, by Alessandro Contarini, a member of a distinguished Venetian family noted for its artistic patronage. Painted in oil on wood panel in about 1531.