Artwork
The Last Supper
The Last Supper is an oil painting by Benjamin West. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Overview
Benjamin West’s The Last Supper (1794) is an oil painting that portrays the biblical moment when Jesus shares a final meal with his twelve disciples. Executed in the late eighteenth century, the work is part of the Detroit Institute of Arts’ collection and exemplifies West’s engagement with religious subject matter alongside his reputation for grand historical compositions.
Subject & Meaning
At the centre of the composition, Jesus sits in a red robe with a black cloak, his head encircled by a halo, emphasizing his spiritual authority. Flanking him, the disciples occupy either side of the table; some gaze directly at Jesus, while others converse, suggesting a mixture of reverence and human interaction at this pivotal narrative instant.
Technique & Style
West employs chiaroscuro to model forms and create depth, using contrasts of light and shadow that focus attention on the central figure. The table is draped in a white cloth, upon which a goblet and a plate of food are rendered with careful detail, while a blue sky with clouds and a window framed by a green curtain provide a luminous backdrop.
History & Provenance
An American-born artist who established his career in London, West held the position of historical painter to the British court and served as the second president of the Royal Academy. The Last Supper entered the Detroit Institute of Arts’ holdings in the twentieth century, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s European painting collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Benjamin West (October 10, 1738 – March 11, 1820) was an American-born British painter who specialised in history painting, creating such works as The Death of Nelson, The Death of General Wolfe, the Treaty of Paris,…
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