Leonardo da Vinci 1452 – 1519

The Last Supper

oil and tempera on plaster (460 × 880 cm) — ca. 1495/98
Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan

This work is linked to Mark 14:24

On the evening before his death, Jesus calls his disciples together for supper, which will be his last. Before the meal he washes the feet of everyone attending. During the meal Jesus discloses the fact that he will be betrayed by one of his twelve followers. He shares the bread and wine, generally considered symbols for his body and blood. The Last Supper is described most clearly in the Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke.

Duccio

This dramatic gathering has been a source of inspiration for the visual arts. The first paintings of The Last Supper were quite static - as can be seen in the works of Duccio (1308-11) and Ghirlandaio (1480). All figures are nicely seated in their chair, despite the fact that they have just learned of their master's coming betrayal.

Domenico Ghirlandaio

A difficult problem for all painters of the tableau is the grouping of the figures. Duccio chose a reasonably credible one: everyone is seated around a table. A drawback of this grouping is that the faces of some of the followers are not visible. Ghirlandaio has them seated behind a long table opposite the traitor Judas, who sits alone.

Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci effected a breakthrough with his Last Supper (approx. 1495-98). Not only is Judas fully included in the group, but the figures are engaged in lively interaction. Da Vinci's fresco inspired numerous Renaissance artists and Baroque painters. Despite many restorations, the most recent in 1999, the work is in bad condition, due to the technique used on the wall, which has insufficient sticking power. In addition, the hall was used as a stable for some time, and bombed during World War II.

Hans Holbein the Younger


Juan de Juanes


Il Tintoretto


Peter Paul Rubens

Some details:

• Leonardo has Peter holding a dagger with which he will later cut off a soldier's ear.
• Three disciples are missing from Holbein's painting (1524-25). They may have been lost when the work was damaged during the Reformation's Iconoclasm in Basel. At the same occasion, Jesus' head was sawed from the altar piece (to be put back later).
• Holbein chose approximately the same grouping as Leonardo, but uses a smaller table and different facial expressions. A common aspect of both paintings is Peter whispering in John's ear.
• De Juanes (approx. 1560) has Judas (extreme right) holding a purse. While the followers are still stunned with the news of the betrayal, Jesus has begun sharing the bread. Both in Ghirlandaio's and, with some effort, in Leonardo's painting, a purse may be discerned.
• Il Tintoretto (1594) created a magical atmosphere by having angels hover over the table.
• Rubens created several versions. On the one shown here (1632) Judas is the only one looking more worried than shocked.
• The reclining figure in Duccio and Ghirlandaio is John (ref. John 13:23) - Jesus' favorite.
• Duccio's work is part of his Maestà and shows Jesus offering Judas a piece of bread.

The Catholic Church annually commemorates the Last Supper as the Holy Supper, on Maundy Thursday.