The Last Supper
Created from 1495-1498 by Italian artist Leonardo Da Vinci
The Last Supper is a painting created by Leonardo da Vinci in the 1490s. The painting portrays Jesus’ final dinner with his apostles before the crucifixion, where he reveals that one of his apostles will betray him. The 12 apostles, all seated at the large table, can be seen with various expressions, some shocked, angry, and devastated. In the original story, before the actual Last Supper occurs, Judas (4th from the right) agrees to lead the authorities to Jesus in exchange for silver. The painting foreshadows Judas’ betrayal of Jesus based on the quote, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” In the painting, Judas is reaching out for a piece of bread, which foreshadows how he later betrays Jesus. This masterpiece is famous for encapturing the various emotions of the 12 apostles.