Da Vinci – Last Supper
Leonardo da Vinci
Italian, 1519
The Last Supper, 1495-1498
Oil on canvas
460 cm X 880 cm (181 in X 346 in)
Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper depicts the last meal Jesus Christ shared with his twelve disciples before being crucified. Da Vinci placed all thirteen men in the painting so that they were interacting with each other. However, this supper was different than most. The canvas shows the moment just seconds after Jesus had informed his disciples that there was a traitor amongst them. They begin communicating with each other, desperately trying to find out who the traitor is. Their faces show the sadness and confusion in the room as they are unsure about who will betray Jesus. Peter is especially bewildered as he whispers in John the apostle’s ear and asks him who Jesus is talking about. Da Vinci showed all of this and more in just one painting.
Cole Harris