Lord's Supper 

"Lord's Supper" is Vasily Polenov’s reinterpretation of this iconic scene. Polenov, a Russian artist, was deeply interested in depicting biblical scenes with a focus on historical accuracy and human emotion. Polenov challenges traditional Western depictions of the Last Supper by setting the scene in what appears to be a Middle Eastern setting, influenced by his own travels to the region. Instead of a grand hall, we see a humble dwelling. The figures around the table are depicted as Middle Eastern men, which reflects Polenov’s desire to represent Jesus and his disciples as people of their time and place. "I wanted to depict not God, but a man," Polenov said, emphasizing his focus on Christ’s humanity. The painting invites us to reconsider the narrative. How does shifting the cultural and geographical context change our understanding? The artwork invites viewers to consider the universality of the story of the Last Supper and encourages a more historically grounded understanding of Jesus and his followers.