[Photo/Xinhua]

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  has been loaned to a small gallery in Hong Kong for its Asia debut.

Caravaggio claims spark Italian art world spat

The genius of Da Vinci on display

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.