Well done. Art history classes I had never looked at the subject matter as you just did. They would comment on composition, colors, brush strokes, and dynamics of the layout. But I never heard any speculate on what the individuals were thinking or saying. Great art like great music allows us to interpret meaning in terms of our experiences and the emotions the images or songs (words and melodies) brings out in us.
Ah, but what a commentary it could be - on the state of "art", French "culture", inclusion. No, wait. I guess such a commentary would be a waste, as the Olympic Opening Ceremonies speak loudly and clearly on the state of the Western world.
it was a 'Last Supper' with all the subjects portrayed by obese drag queens. our newly 'selected' presidential candidate tweeted something along the lines of 'this is the level of art we in the States should strive towards'. Yup. says everything about the state of Western culture. yup, yup. even my 86 yr old mom thought it was stupid.
Since you are inspired by Catholic art, you should check into the science of the Tilma of Guadalupe, the miracle at Fatima, and the shroud of Turin. Jesus Christ was more than a story. It is the most important question of your lifetime. Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus.
The Guadalupe tilma is a particularly fascinating relic.
The first piece of astonishing evidence is that it still exists: the cheap fiber on which it is "painted" typically deteriorates into nothingness within decades.
Thanks for talking through your idea of what you believe may have been happening. Comparing it to my own observation of the painting was fun! What a fascinating person Leonardo must have been. I loved this article!
The symbolism of threes is actually inherited from the main Egyptian religions that always had three gods - for example Amun, Ra and Ptah, or the Osirian triad of Osiris (husband), Isis (wife) and Horus (Son). At the same time, and while scholars continue to argue for and against, the Jewish religion probably/possibly inherets its monotheism from Akhenaten - who briefly established a separate city, Amarna, which is at one time believed to have been inhabited by the Levite Tribe, and religion focused on the one god, Aten. The timing, some of the names, use of the word Amen at the end of prayers, and many other links make it simply incredible that a third religion (and a second monotheistic religion) would have developed in exactly the same place at exactly the same time.
If you are interested in the subject of the Trinity, there is a classic (yet not well known) book written just over a century ago called The Secret of the Universe, by Nathan R. Wood, that is one of the most interesting books that I have ever read. It is available online in a number of places (and is still being sold also). One URL is https://archive.org/details/20200305thesecretoftheuniverse2
The Paris offerings fail to profane the sacred but rather poetically express the obvious: the value of that which the dark offers contrasted with the offerings from the Light. The juxtaposition itself functions as a fab sermon…who could want the devil’s despicable disposable drivel??? Seriously. The Parisian globalist offering includes a bit of vomit ever lodged in the back of the throat…yet is forgettable. In dramatic contrast, the original inspires—with neither words nor motion—for century after century. What a great ad for Jesus.
Just because John's head may not be visible, does not mean that he is not there. Unless Peter is double jointed, he is not holding the knife, but rather, holding the wrist with the knife in it, preventing John from stabbing Judas. Since Peter had to shove John as he subdued him, he slid behind Judas. Well, thats how I see it. Also, Peter is leaning into Mary awkwardly because of the cafuffle.
The hand clenching the knife behind Judas is intriguing me. The angle doesn't seem right for Peter's arm. I could be convinced that John/Mary is holding the knife, even though it's far away from his/her shoulder and that her left hand is holding a loaf of bread. Peter's right hand then is restraining the knife holding hand. Love your deep dive into this work of art, I will always see this in a new light now.
1When Jesus had said these things, He became troubled in spirit, and [j]testified and said, “Truly, truly I say to you that one of you will [k]betray Me.” 22The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. 23Lying back on Jesus’ chest was one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24So Simon Peter *nodded to this disciple and *said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.” Peter was asking John to ask Jesus who He was talking of.
Thank you Jessica for this careful and thoughtful piece.
The picture shows the very first mass - celebrating God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus, son of God. This is the primary reason for the last supper, before Jesus was put to death in order to rise from the dead. This frees anyone who believes.
For this reason, Catholics around the world said as IOC endorsed the 2024 Paris Olympic opening ceremony took place: Enough.
It is 'just' a painting, and very intricate too - yet for Christians it commemorates a truly momentous event.
1. We know from the bible accounts that John was indeed present and was next to Jesus at the table, so why would you think the person you call John/Mary who is next to Jesus is possibly Mary instead of John. See John 13:23.
2. We also know from the bible accounts that after Jesus told the apostles that one of them would betray Him, Peter beckoned to John to ask Jesus which one it was. So I think that is what Peter is depicted as doing in this painting. See John 13:24.
Next I hope to hear your comments on Hieronymus Bosch's "Garden of Earthly Delights" and Brueghel's "Triumph of Death" and "Tower of Babel," and Altdorfer's "Battle of Isis" and "St. George and the Dragon."
Jessica, you have a truly scientific mind. You observe carefully, simplify, speculate, theorize.
Then you have a gift for explaining in inviting, humorous and simple language.
Please don't change... stay unacceptable. 😁
k
Well done. Art history classes I had never looked at the subject matter as you just did. They would comment on composition, colors, brush strokes, and dynamics of the layout. But I never heard any speculate on what the individuals were thinking or saying. Great art like great music allows us to interpret meaning in terms of our experiences and the emotions the images or songs (words and melodies) brings out in us.
Enjoyed your analysis. Have you considered performing a similar analysis on the tableau presented at the Olympic opening ceremonies?
Wouldn't waste my time. :)
Ah, but what a commentary it could be - on the state of "art", French "culture", inclusion. No, wait. I guess such a commentary would be a waste, as the Olympic Opening Ceremonies speak loudly and clearly on the state of the Western world.
Indeed the ceremonies did precisely that.
No interest here in a further analysis, even if performed by the redoubtable Jessica Rose 🤗.
Would it change your mind if the Olympic drag folks were actually mocking pagan gods? That’s what I heard they were doing.
I hope not !
Or you might have replied - I wouldn't do anything to dignify it
it was a 'Last Supper' with all the subjects portrayed by obese drag queens. our newly 'selected' presidential candidate tweeted something along the lines of 'this is the level of art we in the States should strive towards'. Yup. says everything about the state of Western culture. yup, yup. even my 86 yr old mom thought it was stupid.
Thank you for this. We all get so caught up in the darkness that's being put out that this brought me back to the light.
wow! how awesome is that! i appreciate the comment :)
"He lived from April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519"... 67 years and without vaccines! A True Miracle...
Imagine if back then they had the m[iracle]RNA jabs?!
lol
Since you are inspired by Catholic art, you should check into the science of the Tilma of Guadalupe, the miracle at Fatima, and the shroud of Turin. Jesus Christ was more than a story. It is the most important question of your lifetime. Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus.
The Guadalupe tilma is a particularly fascinating relic.
The first piece of astonishing evidence is that it still exists: the cheap fiber on which it is "painted" typically deteriorates into nothingness within decades.
The tilma is over five centuries old.
For more details: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=456
Thanks for talking through your idea of what you believe may have been happening. Comparing it to my own observation of the painting was fun! What a fascinating person Leonardo must have been. I loved this article!
awesome!
The symbolism of threes is actually inherited from the main Egyptian religions that always had three gods - for example Amun, Ra and Ptah, or the Osirian triad of Osiris (husband), Isis (wife) and Horus (Son). At the same time, and while scholars continue to argue for and against, the Jewish religion probably/possibly inherets its monotheism from Akhenaten - who briefly established a separate city, Amarna, which is at one time believed to have been inhabited by the Levite Tribe, and religion focused on the one god, Aten. The timing, some of the names, use of the word Amen at the end of prayers, and many other links make it simply incredible that a third religion (and a second monotheistic religion) would have developed in exactly the same place at exactly the same time.
If you are interested in the subject of the Trinity, there is a classic (yet not well known) book written just over a century ago called The Secret of the Universe, by Nathan R. Wood, that is one of the most interesting books that I have ever read. It is available online in a number of places (and is still being sold also). One URL is https://archive.org/details/20200305thesecretoftheuniverse2
The Paris offerings fail to profane the sacred but rather poetically express the obvious: the value of that which the dark offers contrasted with the offerings from the Light. The juxtaposition itself functions as a fab sermon…who could want the devil’s despicable disposable drivel??? Seriously. The Parisian globalist offering includes a bit of vomit ever lodged in the back of the throat…yet is forgettable. In dramatic contrast, the original inspires—with neither words nor motion—for century after century. What a great ad for Jesus.
If Mary Magdalene was there it means John wasn't.... would be kind of odd, no? He was one of the favorites.
yes!
Just because John's head may not be visible, does not mean that he is not there. Unless Peter is double jointed, he is not holding the knife, but rather, holding the wrist with the knife in it, preventing John from stabbing Judas. Since Peter had to shove John as he subdued him, he slid behind Judas. Well, thats how I see it. Also, Peter is leaning into Mary awkwardly because of the cafuffle.
The hand clenching the knife behind Judas is intriguing me. The angle doesn't seem right for Peter's arm. I could be convinced that John/Mary is holding the knife, even though it's far away from his/her shoulder and that her left hand is holding a loaf of bread. Peter's right hand then is restraining the knife holding hand. Love your deep dive into this work of art, I will always see this in a new light now.
1When Jesus had said these things, He became troubled in spirit, and [j]testified and said, “Truly, truly I say to you that one of you will [k]betray Me.” 22The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. 23Lying back on Jesus’ chest was one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24So Simon Peter *nodded to this disciple and *said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.” Peter was asking John to ask Jesus who He was talking of.
Thank you Jessica for this careful and thoughtful piece.
The picture shows the very first mass - celebrating God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus, son of God. This is the primary reason for the last supper, before Jesus was put to death in order to rise from the dead. This frees anyone who believes.
For this reason, Catholics around the world said as IOC endorsed the 2024 Paris Olympic opening ceremony took place: Enough.
It is 'just' a painting, and very intricate too - yet for Christians it commemorates a truly momentous event.
What a lovely, gentle analysis you gave!
As you say, countless interpretations of the human reaction to a stunning statement.
Only the genius himself knows . . .
Two comments I have about this analysis:
1. We know from the bible accounts that John was indeed present and was next to Jesus at the table, so why would you think the person you call John/Mary who is next to Jesus is possibly Mary instead of John. See John 13:23.
2. We also know from the bible accounts that after Jesus told the apostles that one of them would betray Him, Peter beckoned to John to ask Jesus which one it was. So I think that is what Peter is depicted as doing in this painting. See John 13:24.
Next I hope to hear your comments on Hieronymus Bosch's "Garden of Earthly Delights" and Brueghel's "Triumph of Death" and "Tower of Babel," and Altdorfer's "Battle of Isis" and "St. George and the Dragon."