Biblical and Historical Tidbits Associated with 《The Last Supper》 by Da Vinci 《最后的晚餐》涉及的圣经和历史花絮

Eric Shi, 2023-04-06

?"The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci depicts the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his twelve disciples just before his arrest and crucifixion, which occurred on Maundy Thursday of the Holy Week.

At the beginning of the Holy Week (Palm Sunday), Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and the people of Jerusalem greeted him with shouts of "Hosanna" which means "Save us, we pray!" They also spread their cloaks and palm branches on the road as a sign of honor and respect. Although there is no depiction of the Palm Sunday in "The Last Supper," it did mark the onset of a series of events that led to the famous Last Supper and the consequential crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus, which became the foundation of the Christian faith.

On the evening of Maundy Thursday, Jesus had his last meal with his twelve disciples, during which he predicted his betrayal by one of the disciples and his upcoming death. In the painting, Jesus sits at the center of the table, surrounded by his twelve disciples. The expressions on the disciples' faces range from shock to disbelief, and they are depicted in various poses, with some reaching out to Jesus while others appear lost in thought.

After the meal, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, where the soldiers of the high priest Caiaphas arrested him. On the following day (Good Friday), Jesus was tried before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, who ultimately sentenced him to death by crucifixion. On Holy Saturday, Jesus' body was laid in a tomb, where it remained until the following morning. The next morning (Easter Sunday), Jesus was resurrected from the dead.

"The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci focuses solely on the scene of the Last Supper, without depicting any other events from the Holy Week. However, it remains one of the most iconic depictions of this pivotal moment in the Christian faith, capturing the emotions and reactions of the disciples to Jesus' announcement of his impending death.

"The Last Supper" was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, in the late 15th century, for the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Da Vinci worked on the painting between 1495 and 1498, experimenting with new techniques, such as oil paint on dry plaster. This new technique enabled Da Vinci to paint the mural as an oil painting instead of the traditional fresco work.

One reason behind inventing this new technique was to allow more time to work on the details and colors of the painting, whereas fresco painting requires swift and precise execution before the plaster dries. Moreover, oil painting allowed for more nuanced shading and modeling of forms than fresco painting, making it better suited to the complex composition of "The Last Supper."

Another unique feature of "The Last Supper" is its use of linear perspective to create the illusion of depth and space within the composition. The painting also has a muted color scheme, with shades of brown and grey dominating the scene, which may reflect Da Vinci's interest in the natural world and his desire to depict the scene realistically. The composition is also asymmetrical, with Jesus at the center and the disciples in groups of three on either side.

Da Vinci's portrayal of the disciples in "The Last Supper" is notable for its attention to individual expressions and gestures, which convey emotions and reactions to Jesus' announcement of his impending death. For example, Peter is depicted as agitated and reaching for a knife, while Judas, who would later betray Jesus, is shown with his face obscured and clutching a small bag, perhaps alluding to his impending betrayal.

From left to right in the painting, the disciples were grouped in sets of three.

1. Bartholomew, James the Lesser, and Andrew form the first group of three. In this group, Bartholomew is often associated with the intellectual tradition of Christianity. In the painting, his reaction reflects his analytical and contemplative nature. James the Lesser is often associated with humility. In the painting, his reaction reveals his concern for Jesus and his willingness to submit to his authority. Andrew is often associated with the virtue of compassion. In the painting, his reaction indicates his concern for Jesus and his fellow apostles.

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1. Judas Iscariot, Peter, and John form the second group of three. Judas is wearing red, blue, and green, looking withdrawn and taken aback by the sudden revelation of his plan. He clutches a small bag, perhaps signifying the silver given to him as payment to betray Jesus or perhaps a reference to his role as a treasurer. He is the only person with his elbow on the table, and his head is also vertically the lowest of anyone in the painting. Judas is often associated with betrayal. In the painting, his reaction foreshadows his role as the one who would betray Jesus. His posture suggests a sense of guilt or shame, but it is unclear whether he is genuinely remorseful or simply trying to hide his intentions. Peter wears an expression of anger and appears to be holding a knife, foreshadowing his violent reaction in Gethsemane during the arrest of Jesus. Peter is leaning towards John and touching him on the shoulder, in reference to John's Gospel, where he signals the "beloved disciple" to ask Jesus who is to betray him. The youngest apostle, John, appears to swoon and lean toward Peter.

1. Thomas, James the Greater, and Philip are the next group of three. Thomas is upset, with his index finger raised and mouth slightly open. He looks skeptical as if he is questioning Jesus' words, which foreshadows his incredulity about the Resurrection. Thomas is often associated with the virtue of faith. In the painting, his reaction reflects his need for evidence. James the Greater looks stunned, with his arms in the air and his head turned towards Jesus. He looks concerned and attentive as if he is trying to understand the significance of Jesus' words. James the Greater is often associated with the virtue of perseverance, and his reaction in the painting reflects his determination to remain faithful to Jesus in the face of uncertainty and danger. Philip appears surprised and bewildered as if he is struggling to comprehend what Jesus is saying. Philip is often associated with the virtue of wisdom. In the painting, his reaction reflects his intellectual curiosity and his desire for knowledge.?

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1. Matthew, Jude Thaddeus, and Simon the Zealot form the final group of three. Both Thaddeus and Matthew are turned toward Simon the Zealot, perhaps to find out if he has any answer to their initial questions. Matthew is often associated with the virtue of repentance, and his reaction in the painting reflects his awareness of his own imperfections and his need for forgiveness. Thaddeus is often associated with the virtue of humility. In the painting, his reaction reflects his willingness to submit to God's will and to serve others. Simon the Zealot, as his name indicates, is an avenging priest known for being zealous and religious.

"The Last Supper" is widely regarded as one of the masterpieces of the European Renaissance, and it continues to be celebrated for its technical innovations, psychological depth, and spiritual symbolism. The painting has influenced countless artists and thinkers over the centuries and remains a touchstone for discussions of art, religion, and human creativity. Its significance extends beyond the art world as a testament to the enduring power of human imagination and the pursuit of excellence in all fields of endeavor.

P.S.

Today is 06-Apr-2023, the Maundy Thursday. In reviewing biblical literature, I felt it might be helpful to group my thoughts around "The Last Supper" by De Vinci and document them as above.