Artwork

The Last Supper

The Last Supper, by Albrecht Dürer, 1523
The Last Supper, by Albrecht Dürer, 1523

The Last Supper is a print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1523 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This print, The Last Supper, is a work by Albrecht Dürer, created after his return from Venice. It is characterized by a horizontal format and a depiction of thirteen figures seated at a long table.

Subject & Meaning

The scene omits Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, and features a largely cleared table with a chalice, bread basket, and wine decanter, referencing the Eucharist. The moment may represent Christ's exhortation to his disciples to love one another, a theme significant to Protestant reformers.

Technique & Style

Dürer's composition is marked by a calm, serene atmosphere, achieved through the empty table and the figures' tranquil poses. The print's style reflects Italian influences, evident in its format and the arrangement of the figures.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Albrecht Dürer

Artist

Albrecht Dürer

Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.