The last Supper 1550s

Maarten van Heemskerck created this version of the Last Supper using an engraving technique. The oval composition, filled edge to edge, draws our eye immediately to the dense, intricate linework that defines the scene. Notice how the arrangement of figures around the table is not symmetrical, yet the balance of light and shadow maintains a visual harmony. Van Heemskerck employs a structural technique, using line and form to guide the viewer's gaze through the narrative. The texture, achieved through varied hatching and cross-hatching, adds depth, highlighting the dramatic tension of the moment. The use of space here is intriguing. The compressed foreground and background create a sense of immediacy, pulling us into the apostles' emotional turmoil. Consider how this formal choice underscores the theological weight of the Last Supper. Its enduring impact lies not just in its religious context, but also in how Heemskerck's formal handling amplifies its expressive power.