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Analysing an image - Last supper

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The Last Supper

p In this image , there are thirteen figures , which represent Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles during the Last Supper . Other than the figures there is also a long , white table with plates and what looks like bread Below the table , four chairs and feet could be seen . The figures are mostly bearded , long-haired and wearing robes of varying colours . At the back of the centre figure are three windows , which occupy the centre of the image . At the sides are wall hangings . From the windows , the viewer

br could see the outline of mountains

The image is composed of organic and geometric shapes . Lines are utilised to create balance among the long table , the side hangings , the windows , and the chairs . The figures are given equal treatment , of which is out of focus

The Last Supper created by Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci was a mural painting made from combination of pitch , gesso and mastic . Other paintings of this subject were made using oil on canvas as well as other mediums

Interpretation

Looking at the image , the first thing that I noticed was the discourse that the apostles to the left and right of Jesus were having . What 's also noticeable is the elegance of the figures , the setting , and the symmetry -- a reflection of da Vinci 's scientific side that values exactness and balance . I would have imagined the Last Supper scene to be simpler since Jesus and the apostles were common people . What I have in mind is similar to Jacopo Bassano 's 1542

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interpretation of the Last Supper , showing barefoot fishermen gathered around Jesus in a disly manner

In the scene , some of the apostles seem to be asking him something while others are talking among themselves . Knowing the context under which the photograph was made , I 'm quite curious to note why Jesus had that calm look on his face . The question though is , did Jesus really look calm when he told the apostles about the betrayal ? Jesus was in his human form when this event took place . Being human at that time maybe he was showing more emotion than what is shown in the image . But since this photograph looks the same as da Vinci 's painting , then it was created during the Renaissance period where central figures normally had archaic smiles . The same archaic smile and elegance could be observed in da Vinci 's Mona Lisa painting

When I look at the Last Supper , I 'm always struck at the significance of this event to man 's salvation . It was during this meal that Jesus told his disciples about the betrayal , yet he didn 't condemn that person , an example set for Christians to be forgiving to those who sinned against them . After this meal , the soldiers came and took Jesus prisoner , an ordeal that made Jesus suffered and died . Although the event itself was painful to imagine , it resulted to the liberation of the human spirit...

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