Artwork
The Last Supper
The Last Supper is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Giovanni Lanfranco. It dates from 1624 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
Giovanni Lanfranco’s *The Last Supper* (1624) is an oil painting that belongs to the early Italian Baroque period. Executed by a Bolognese artist who absorbed Annibale Carracci’s classicist approach, the work portrays the biblical moment of Christ’s final meal with his disciples. It is part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows Jesus at the centre of a long table surrounded by his twelve apostles, each rendered in distinct coloured robes. While some figures turn toward Christ, others look downward or to the side, suggesting a range of emotional responses to the impending betrayal and sacrifice that the scene traditionally conveys.
Technique & Style
Lanfranco employs a restrained palette of warm, muted tones illuminated by a soft golden light that models the faces and garments. The background recedes into deep shadow, while subtle chiaroscuro heightens the drama and directs attention to the central figure. The handling of oil creates a tactile sense of texture on the tablecloth, plates and cups.
History & Provenance
Completed in 1624, the painting reflects Lanfranco’s synthesis of Baroque dynamism with Carracci’s classicism. After remaining in private hands for several centuries, it entered the National Gallery of Ireland, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s Baroque holdings, offering insight into early 17th‑century religious art in Italy.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Lanfranco (26 January 1582 – 30 November 1647) was an Italian Baroque painter. He was a distinguished artist of the Bolognese school, deeply influenced by Annibale Carracci's’ classicism.
