The Last Supper 1519

Jerg Ratgeb painted this interpretation of "The Last Supper" during a period of immense social and religious upheaval. Ratgeb was executed for his role in the German Peasants' War, a conflict fueled by social inequality and religious dissent. In this work, Ratgeb breaks from traditional representations of the Last Supper. The setting appears to be a contemporary communal dining hall, a deliberate choice that may reflect Ratgeb's own social and political beliefs, placing the Biblical narrative in the midst of the issues of his time. I am struck by how the expressions and postures of the figures convey a sense of unease and tension. The looming image of Christ praying in Gethsemane seems to cast a shadow over the gathering. Ratgeb’s "Last Supper" serves as a reflection of the artist’s commitment to social justice and the profound impact of political turmoil on personal faith.