Laatste Avondmaal (rechter deel) 1633 - 1700

Jean Pesne created this engraving, Laatste Avondmaal (rechter deel), meaning the Last Supper, likely in the late 17th century. Pesne was a French artist working in a time of strict social hierarchies and religious norms. In this scene, Pesne depicts the biblical story of the Last Supper, but it is charged with the realities of gender and power. Traditionally an all-male event, the supper excludes women, reinforcing their marginalization. This artwork uses the setting of a religious event to emphasize male authority. The historical context of religious wars and conflicts during Pesne’s time might suggest a search for stability through established religious narratives, but it also brings up questions about exclusion. The image invites us to reflect on how religious and historical narratives shape our understanding of identity and power. What does it mean to depict such a foundational story with such clear boundaries?