Artwork

The Last Supper

The Last Supper, by Raphael Morghen, ink, 1800
The Last Supper, by Raphael Morghen, ink, 1800

The Last Supper is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Raphael Morghen. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Last Supper is an engraving created by Raphael Morghen in 1800. It is a print held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving depicts a scene of 13 men seated around a long table, reacting with surprise or shock to a central figure. The men's simple robes and the table setting suggest a biblical context.

Technique & Style

Morghen used fine lines to achieve a detailed scene with shadows and texture. The engraving's level of detail brings out the strong emotions on the men's faces, particularly around the central figure.

Context

As an engraving, The Last Supper was created using a metal plate and sharp tools, a common technique for printmaking at the time.

Artist & collection

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