The 'Last Supper' by Leonardo Da Vinci (1452 - 1519) is perhaps the most famous of all depictions of the Paschal / Easter events in the Gospels.
The painting measures 180 in. × 350 in., and covers an end wall of the dining hall at the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. It was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, in 1498 to be the centerpiece of the family mausoleum within the church.
Due to the methods used, a variety of environmental factors, and intentional damage, very little of the original painting remains today despite numerous restoration attempts, the last being completed in 1999.
But which event, exactly, does it depict? From Web Gallery of Art: "Leonardo's Last Supper is not a depiction of a simple or sequential action, but interweaves the individual events narrated in the Gospels, from the announcement of the presence of a traitor to the introduction of the Eucharist, to such an extent that the moment depicted is a meeting of the two events. As a result, the disciples' reactions relate both to the past and subsequent events. At the same time, however, the introduction of the Eucharist clearly remains the central event.
The Apostles from left to right: Bartholomew, James the Less, Andrew, Judas, Peter, John, Christ, Thomas, James the Greater, Philip, Matthew, Thaddeus, Simon." (13 characters, in all; Judas being the lowest man depicted)
The Apostle John provides a rich narrative of the scene: "When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.
Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.
So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:21-35
Contrast this solemn supper to just 4 days prior when Jesus entered triumphantly into Jerusalem to the cheers of an adoring crowd who honored His procession with palm fronds laid before Him.
Yet, a mere 36 hours after this solemn supper, Jesus would be tried and executed amid the insults and ridicule from a fickle mob comprised of many from the same adoring crowd the previous Palm Sunday.
This artwork is in the public domain.
