Who painted The Last Supper?

The Last Supper was painted by Jacob Jordaens in 1650.

Where can I see The Last Supper?

The Last Supper is held by Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

What movement is The Last Supper?

The Last Supper is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of The Last Supper?

Museum-quality prints of The Last Supper are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Last Supper

Jacob Jordaens , 1650

The Last Supper is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacob Jordaens. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1650, Jacob Jordaens’ oil painting titled The Last Supper depicts a solemn banquet scene rendered in the Flemish Baroque idiom. The composition is housed in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, where it remains a representative example of Jordaens’ religious output.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays a group of men gathered around a table, all directing their attention toward a central figure clothed in a red robe who holds a cup. The arrangement evokes the biblical episode of Christ’s final meal with his disciples, emphasizing themes of communion and impending sacrifice.

Technique & Style

Jordaens employs the rich, layered application of oil paint characteristic of the Baroque period, creating a dramatic contrast between the dim interior and the luminous light streaming from a window behind the figures. The varied hues of the participants’ garments and the tactile rendering of food and tableware enhance the scene’s realism.

History & Provenance

The painting was produced during Jordaens’ mature phase, after he had succeeded Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck as Antwerp’s leading painter. Though he never traveled extensively, his work reflects the strong Flemish tradition. The canvas entered the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp’s collection, where it is displayed today.

Context

In the mid‑17th century, Antwerp remained a hub for religious art, and Jordaens responded to the Counter‑Reformation’s demand for vivid biblical narratives. His Last Supper aligns with contemporary commissions that sought to inspire devotion through dynamic composition and emotive detail, situating the piece within the broader Baroque movement.