caravaggio in belfast: two masterpieces, one unforgettable exhibition

Ulster Museum is poised for a historic art event as it is set to host two paintings by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610) which have rarely been seen together since the first quarter of the 17th century. 

As part of the National Treasures project - which will form part of the National Gallery in London’s bicentenary celebrations - Caravaggio's ‘The Supper at Emmaus’ (1601) will be on loan to Ulster Museum. Additionally, the Jesuit Community in Dublin, with the support of the National Gallery of Ireland, will generously facilitate the loan of Caravaggio's ‘The Taking of Christ’ (1602). 

The exhibition will open at Ulster Museum on 10^th May, the 200^th birthday of the National Gallery, London, and is sponsored by EY.

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The National Gallery developed the National Treasures programme as part of a series of events to mark its bicentenary. Ulster Museum is one of 12 museums and galleries across the four UK nations to host a masterpiece from the gallery’s renowned collection, with the aim of bringing more than half of the UK’s population within an hour’s journey of a beloved National Gallery painting. Ulster Museum is the sole institution in Northern Ireland to take part in National Treasures; and displaying two Caravaggio paintings - originally commissioned to hang together - will mark an historic moment in art history. 

Anne Stewart, Senior Curator of Art at National Museums NI, expressed the significance of the upcoming occasion and said, 

“Announcing this exhibition in the lead-up to Easter holds profound meaning – ‘The Taking of Christ’ portrays the arrest of Christ after Judas identifies him with a kiss, while ‘The Supper at Emmaus’ captures the initial recognition of Christ by two disciples following the Crucifixion and Resurrection.

“The connection between the two Caravaggio paintings is remarkable. Both were painted for the same patron, Ciriaco Mattei, and originally displayed in the same family palace in Rome. Reuniting Caravaggio’s The Supper at Emmaus and The Taking of Christ is a highly ambitious and unusual event. Both paintings very rarely travel and they have hardly ever been seen together since the first quarter of the 17th century.

“We are truly honoured and grateful to the National Gallery, the National Gallery of Ireland and the Jesuit Community in Dublin, for allowing us the opportunity to bring together two rare artworks and provide our audiences and the public with a rare chance to access these masterpieces.”

The Supper at Emmaus and Taking of Christ will be on display at Ulster Museum from Friday May 10 until Sunday September 1. 

Alexandra Kavanagh, Head of National Touring at the National Gallery said, 

“We are delighted to be partnering with Ulster Museum on National Treasures – it’s been so wonderful hearing about how they will bring The Supper At Emmaus to life through new lenses. We are so excited to see this display bring a fresh perspective to a much loved painting – and to get a chance to see it alongside the National Gallery of Ireland’s equally excellent Caravaggio sums up exactly the sort of dialogues we hoped to spark with National Treasures.”

The arrival of the two Caravaggio masterpieces to Ulster Museum also enables people across the entire island of Ireland to experience this significant moment in art history.

Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland said, 

“At the National Gallery of Ireland, we are leaders in sharing our collection with our growing audiences on site, online, across the island of Ireland, and internationally. 

“As many people know, Caravaggio’s ‘The Taking of Christ’ is one of the most popular works on show at the National Gallery of Ireland. While we’ll miss it when it travels to Belfast, we eagerly anticipate its display at the Ulster Museum alongside the artist’s ‘The Supper at Emmaus’ from the National Gallery, London. It will be the first time these great masterpieces are shown together in Northern Ireland, and it’s a really exciting moment for art lovers there. 

“As I was born and raised in Belfast, I’m very proud to see this next phase of our collaboration with our colleagues in National Museums NI happen in 2024.”

Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive of National Museums NI, said, 

“This is a wonderful example of bringing together strong east/west and north/south partnerships at the same time, and we are extremely grateful to colleagues in both London and Dublin who have helped make this happen. To be able to see both paintings together in the one location is almost unprecedented, and as such creates a genuine ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity for local audiences, as well as an undoubted draw for visitors from further afield. It also demonstrates how heritage and arts can help celebrate our shared history and cultural diversity in a way that is inclusive and accessible to all.”