He was part of the Early Netherlandish or Flemish Primitives school of artists which flourished during the Northern Renaissance period of the 15th and 16th century.
Little is known of 'The Master of the Prodigal Son.' He was born in Antwerp (date unknown), and his schooling and training as an artist in also unknown. 'The Master' frequently painted landscapes and depictions of scenes from the Bible (probably for wealthy patrons). Plus, judging from this extensive online collection of his work, he liked to tastefully paint young women in various stages of undress which frequently exposed their bosoms (go figure).
"Christ and his disciples on the road to Emmaus" was purchased in 1935 by the National Museum in Warsaw, Poland from Jan Popławski collection. It is currently in storage and not on public display. This artwork is in the public domain.
After His resurrection, Jesus didn't simply disappear up into heaven. Acts 1:3 tells us that after the resurrection there was a period of 40 days in which the risen Christ appeared not only to His disciples, but to hundreds of people in Jerusalem.
"Christ and his disciples on the road to Emmaus" depicts one of those encounters after His resurrection; after Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene; and after Peter ran to the empty tomb when Mary told anyone who would listen she had seen the risen Christ - alive!
So, who are these two men with Christ? The Bible identifies them as 'Cleopas and a companion (possibly Simon?),' followers of Jesus, not specifically of the original 12 Apostles. They were walking home from Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus after the execution of Jesus, no doubt dejected over the death of their leader by the powers that be. “And they were conversing with each other over all these things that had come about.”
"And He said to them, “What things?”
So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”
Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.
Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread." Luke 24:19-35
