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Caravaggio's "Supper at Emmaus," valued at 83 million US dollars, has been loaned to a small gallery in Hong Kong for its Asia debut.
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A 400-year-old European masterpiece is going on show in Asia for the first time ever. Caravaggio's "Supper at Emmaus," valued at 83 million US dollars, has been loaned to a small gallery in Hong Kong for its Asia debut.
This classic image of light and shadow from the seventeenth century is bridging continents in the twenty-first century.
"Supper at Emmaus," created by Italian artist Caravaggio, has been loaned to the Asia Society's Hong Kong Centre by one of Italy's landmark museums - the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan.
This is believed to be the first time that this Caravaggio work has gone on display in Asia.
"I think everybody thought it's a great idea, because Caravaggio's never been to Hong Kong. And that was something that we were surprised to learn. And not only has he not been to Hong Kong, but Caravaggio, this particular Caravaggio, has never been to Asia." Alice Mong, Executive Director of Asia Society HK said.
The idea of transporting "Supper at Emmaus" to Hong Kong came from Italy's Consulate in Hong Kong, which last year brought another Italian masterpiece - Boticelli's "Venus" - to this part of Asia.
Director of the the Pinacoteca di Brera, Sandrina Bandera, who has also travelled from Italy, believes that the arrival of the Caravaggio is important ahead of Italy's own international expo next year.
"There's the idea of managing to get close to traditions, populations - that Europe and Italy haven't had much cultural contact with. Also it's an exchange, a cultural exchange, anticipating an important moment - that will be a special time for Milan when the city will have the expo, that's to say when cultures that are very different to Italian and European cultures in particular will arrive in Milan. So we can say that this transfer of the Caravaggio is in some way a prelude to what will happen in Milan next year." Sandrina Bandera said.
"Supper at Emmaus" shows a moment from the Christian gospels, when Jesus Christ is said to have revealed himself after his resurrection.
The subject matter stems from European tradition, but critics value its treatment and style as ground-breaking in overall artistic development towards a realistic depiction of light and shadow.
"The people of Hong Kong are still intimidated by art, art or culture with a capital A and a capital C, and I myself come from a working class family. But I just find that art opens the door to humanity. So I feel with this painting, if people come to see it, they will have a deeper appreciation of life, what is beautiful, and it sounds really, kind of grandiose and all of that, but I do think art does that, art and culture, whether it's good music, good painting, it opens up your spirit, to possibilities." Alice Mong said.
Around 4,000 people are expected to view "Supper at Emmaus," which will be on display at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre from 12 March to 13 April. And best of all- entrance is free.
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