Last Supper c. 1490

This colour woodcut depicts the Last Supper, and, though the artist is unknown, its compelling composition draws us in. Here, the artist employs a semi-circular arrangement around the table, creating a sense of unity and inclusion. The haloed figures, rendered with simplified forms and bold outlines, have their gazes directed towards a central point, drawing our attention to the unfolding drama. The artist destabilizes fixed perspectives by combining a bird's eye view of the table with a flattened rendering of the figures. In this work, color functions symbolically, with the yellows and reds associated with divinity. The varied reactions of the apostles—from contemplation to supplication—create a dynamic interplay of emotions. This is further emphasized by the angular lines and textured surfaces achieved through the woodcut medium. The composition's circular structure, therefore, invites us to contemplate the communal and spiritual dimensions of this pivotal event, as well as the complex relationship between the divine and the human.