XV.—THE LAST SUPPER
Reading edition
The Last Supper. Ital. Il Cenacolo, La Cena. Fr. La Cène. Ger. Das Abendmahl Christi.
Photo. Alinari
THE LAST SUPPER.—D. GHIRLANDAJO
(Convent of the Ognissanti, Florence.)
This event in the life of Christ has, next to the crucifixion, a most important place in art, where the subject has been treated dramatically, historically, and mystically. When the picture is painted for an altar or chapel of the Holy Sacrament, it is mystical or devotional, and represents the institution of the Eucharist. In such representations Judas is either absent, or is seen stealing from the room. The subject has been a favourite one for the decoration of refectories of convents and hospitals, and it is then treated in the historical sense—Christ’s celebration of the passover with His disciples; or dramatically, at the moment when Christ says, “Verily I say unto you that one of you shall betray me,” or when His disciples, “exceeding sorrowful,” say unto Him, “Lord, is it I?” and He replies, “He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.” In this scene the usual arrangement places Christ in the middle of a long table with John leaning against Him and the apostles, seated or starting up in dismay, on either side. Judas sits alone on the opposite side of the table.
These distinctions must be borne in mind in judging of the treatment of the various artists.