The Last Supper 1521

Lucas van Leyden made this engraving of The Last Supper sometime in the first half of the 16th century. But this isn't the famous, idealized scene we associate with Leonardo Da Vinci's high renaissance masterpiece. Van Leyden was working in the Netherlands during a time of great social and religious upheaval, the rise of Protestantism. The engraving is crowded, even a bit chaotic. It looks like a very common, earthly gathering, where the Apostles are regular folk, a bit rough around the edges. Note the man in the foreground pouring wine, he doesn't even seem to notice that he is participating in a sacred event! Van Leyden's portrayal of the Last Supper reflects a changing attitude toward religious imagery, away from the grandeur of the Catholic Church and toward a more personal and accessible experience of faith. To understand this work better, it's essential to explore the religious and political context of the Reformation and the role of art in shaping popular opinion.