The Last Supper 1551

Giorgio Ghisi created this engraving, "The Last Supper," sometime between 1515 and 1582. During this period in Europe, religious art served not only as a form of worship but also as a powerful tool for social control. Ghisi's "Last Supper" presents us with a scene laden with complex dynamics. We see Christ and his disciples in an intimate gathering that belies the social hierarchies of the time. Gender, though seemingly absent in its traditional form, is subtly present in the all-male gathering, reinforcing the patriarchal structure of the church. Note the lone dog in the lower-left corner, a symbol of fidelity but also, perhaps, of the marginalized. Ghisi masterfully plays with light and shadow, drawing our eyes to the emotional crux of the scene, the revelation of impending betrayal. This print doesn't merely depict a biblical event; it invites us to reflect on power, loyalty, and the human capacity for both profound love and devastating betrayal.