The Last Supper

Domenico Ghirlandaio

The Last Supper, 1484

San Marco Monastery * Florence, Italy

A More Traditional Art Historical Perspective

This fresco is an interesting version of The Last Supper, quite different from Leonardo da Vinci's later, famous depiction in Milan. Leonardo may have been inspired by this fresco during his time in Florence. He also stayed for a period at the convent of San Marco.

Here, Judas sits on the opposite side of the table, with his back to the viewer. This was a traditional composition before Leonardo, in which Judas is physically separated from the other apostles.

Notice also the peacock on the right, which in Christian iconography can symbolize immortality and resurrection.

The painting is by Domenico Ghirlandaio (1449–1494), a Florentine Renaissance painter. It is his Last Supper, painted around 1486 as a fresco in the convent of San Marco in Florence. Ghirlandaio also painted a very similar version in the convent of Ognissanti in 1480.

An interesting detail in this particular painting is the cat behind Judas, often associated with betrayal and evil.

Now close your eyes for a few seconds. Open them and look at the painting as if you were seeing it for the first time. Don't try to explain or interpret what you see. Simply notice where your eyes move. Do you discover a new pattern?