The subject for this drawing comes from the Bible, New Testament (Luke 24:13). It shows Christ, after his crucifixion and the discovery of the empty tomb, appearing to two disciples on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. The disciples invite Christ, who they have not yet recognised, to eat with them; the meal, during which they realise his identity, is also frequently depicted. Rembrandt’s drawing dates from the late 1630s, for him a period of great artistic experimentation. The figures have been boldly and expressively drawn in brown-black ink which has been applied with a brush, while a pen has been used to sketch in the sparser background details. The acidity of the iron gall ink, favoured by Rembrandt at this time, has corroded the paper in places.