Last Supper c. 1685

Luca Giordano's "Last Supper," is rendered with pen and brown wash. In it we see Christ sharing his final meal with his disciples. The halo is the dominant symbol here, emanating from Christ's head, signifying divinity and spiritual enlightenment. This symbolic element reappears across cultures, such as in Buddhism, to denote awakened beings. Consider its recurrence throughout Christian art history, tracing its evolution from early mosaics to Renaissance paintings. Think of the Byzantine mosaics, where the halo was a solid gold disc, symbolizing divine authority and power. Later, Renaissance artists softened this symbol, integrating it more subtly, yet its core essence remained. The halo, therefore, becomes a visual echo, reverberating through centuries. It’s a testament to our collective memory, the subconscious recognition of the divine, and the enduring human quest for spiritual understanding.