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national treasures: caravaggio in belfast

Caravaggio, The Supper at Emmaus, 1601
Date
Friday 10th May to Sunday 1st September
Time
10:00 to 17:00 (open Tues-Sun)

Caravaggio's (1571-1610) 'The Supper at Emmaus' (1601) is on display at Ulster Museum as part of bicentenary celebrations for the National Gallery, London, and in a first for Belfast, has been reunited with his ‘The Taking of Christ’ (1602) painting, especially for our National Treasures exhibition.

The 10th May 2024 marks 200 years since the opening of the National Gallery in London. To mark the momentous occasion, the National Gallery is loaning 'national treasures' from its collection to 12 museums and galleries throughout the UK - and Ulster Museum is one of the venues.

'The Supper at Emmaus' (1601) from the National Gallery and now 'The Taking of Christ’ (1602) from The Jesuit Community in Dublin, with the support of the National Gallery of Ireland, both painted by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610), will be displayed in our Spotlight Art gallery from 10th May until September 2024 in an exhibition spectacular.

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•	Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi da) (1571–1610), The Taking of Christ, 1602.  On indefinite loan to the National Gallery of Ireland from the Jesuit Community, Leeson St, Dublin, who acknowledge the kind generosity of the late Dr Marie Lea-Wilson, 1992. Image, National Gallery of Ireland.
Caravaggio's ‘The Taking of Christ’ (1602) will be on loan from the Jesuit Community in Dublin, with the support of the National Gallery of Ireland.

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.

The bringing together of these two rare artworks will provide the public with a rare chance to access these masterpieces.

Now open until Sunday 1st September. This is a free exhibition and you do not need to book.

Image credits: 

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, 1571 – 1610, The Supper at Emmaus, 1601. Presented by the Hon. George Vernon, 1839 © The National Gallery, London.

Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi da) (1571–1610), The Taking of Christ, 1602. On indefinite loan to the National Gallery of Ireland from the Jesuit Community, Leeson St, Dublin, who acknowledge the kind generosity of the late Dr Marie Lea-Wilson, 1992. Image, National Gallery of Ireland.

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EXHIBITION SPONSOR:

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  • Capacity is 25 people at a time. At busy times we may ask you to come back later in order to enjoy the artworks and to protect collections and your fellow visitors.
  • An adult must accompany children under 16.
  • The exhibition is free and there is no need to book
  • No flash photography allowed inside the exhibition space. Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted either.
  • Photography is allowed for personal, non-commercial purposes only and it is the visitor’s responsibility to ensure that no copyright is infringed. Please email [email protected] for filming/media requests.
  • Please use the lockers on the ground floor to store large bags.
  • No food, drink or vaping is allowed inside the exhibition.

General group bookings (15 people or more) should be made to [email protected]

Schools, please complete our online enquiry form or email [email protected] 

For travel trade enquiries, email: [email protected]