The Last Supper 

Curator: Oh, this has such a preliminary feel! It’s all gentle movement, figures caught in contemplation… Editor: Indeed. What we’re looking at is Andrea Sacchi’s rendering of "The Last Supper", a pen, ink, and gouache drawing on toned paper, housed right here at the Städel Museum. Although undated, this Baroque study provides remarkable insights into Sacchi's process. Curator: A study, that's exactly it! There’s a rawness, an intimacy, in the muted tones. The faces especially feel so expressive and personal, more than any grand, finished painting. I love how you can almost sense the artist circling the scene, trying to figure it all out. It's the in-betweenness that grabs me. Editor: Precisely. You can observe him grappling with spatial relationships and dynamic arrangements within a traditionally formal, structured setting. Take note of the angel bearing a lantern aloft, situated centrally overhead—a clear attempt to integrate divine observation. That choice, while prevalent, subtly alters the perceived politics of the scene. It introduces a vertical dimension of power. Curator: Absolutely, it gives it a dreamlike weightlessness. It’s like Sacchi’s asking, “How do I make this old, familiar story…breathe again?” All those studies for fabric and figures and faces, really feels like you're right there with the master, figuring things out together. Editor: The composition guides our eye across the table and upward. The relatively modest use of ink wash suggests Sacchi's awareness of shifting aesthetic preferences within Rome’s artistic circles, perhaps a nod towards lighter, more vibrant visual styles beginning to trend in the mid-seventeenth century. Curator: You see, what truly resonates is the work's sincerity; as if Sacchi wanted to capture a profound spiritual moment without excessive theatricality. It is as though through such simple forms, this iconic moment is laid bare for sincere contemplation. Editor: Yes, stripped down to the core, before all the drama of history painting really got going. Curator: Well, for me, getting a peek into Sacchi's creative thinking? A rare, intimate gift, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Most assuredly; thank you for revealing aspects of Sacchi's study, which might elude those who don't reflect more deeply.