The Last Supper 1565 - 1608

Francesco Curia created "The Last Supper" sometime between 1580 and 1608 using pen and brown ink, with brown wash, heightened with white gouache, over black chalk on grey-brown paper. Curia’s depiction of this iconic biblical scene is a window into the socio-cultural norms of late 16th century Italy. This drawing is most likely a study for a painting of the same subject matter. The exclusive gathering of men around the table reflects the patriarchal structures that dominated both the religious and secular spheres. It is interesting to note how Curia balances the divine with the mundane. The halos above the heads of Jesus and his disciples signify their spiritual status, while the detailed rendering of the table setting brings a sense of domesticity to the scene. This contrast invites us to consider the complex relationship between the sacred and the everyday. Ultimately, Curia's "The Last Supper" invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in religious narratives and to consider the ways in which these stories have shaped, and continue to shape, our understanding of gender, power, and spirituality.