Artwork
Last Supper
Last Supper is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Pieter Pourbus. It dates from 1548 and is held in the collection of the Groeningemuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Pieter Pourbus's 1548 panel painting illustrates the biblical narrative of the Last Supper, depicting Jesus seated at a table with his apostles.
Pieter Pourbus's 1548 panel painting illustrates the biblical narrative of the Last Supper, depicting Jesus seated at a table with his apostles. The composition includes specific iconographic elements such as bread and a chalice, which symbolize the institution of the Eucharist. Unusually, the work also features a devil within the scene, likely representing the presence of evil or the impending betrayal by Judas.
As a piece of religious art, the painting serves as a visual meditation on this pivotal moment in Christian theology, combining traditional sacramental symbols with a dramatic depiction of spiritual conflict.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, this work demonstrates the Northern Renaissance emphasis on meticulous detail and narrative clarity. The composition centers on the Last Supper with precise rendering of apostles, tableware, and spatial relationships, reflecting Pieter Pourbus' mastery of formal balance and devotional subject matter.
The painting's condition remains stable, preserved as part of the Groeningemuseum's collection where its structural integrity and stylistic coherence continue to inform scholarly study of 16th-century Flemish religious art.
History & Provenance
The painting, executed in oil on wood, was completed in 1548 by Pieter Pourbus. Its provenance before acquisition by the Groeningemuseum in Bruges is not recorded in the sources; the work is now part of the museum’s Vlaamse Kunstcollectie. No information regarding a specific commission or earlier owners is available from the provided material.
The date 1548 is given consistently in both the internal catalogue entry and the Wikidata record, establishing the work’s creation year.
Overview
The Last Supper is a 1548 painting on wood by Pieter Pourbus, a Flemish artist associated with the Northern Renaissance. It is held at the Groeningemuseum.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pieter Jansz. Pourbus (c. 1523–1584) was a Flemish Renaissance painter, draftsman, engineer and cartographer who was active in Bruges during the 16th century. He is known primarily for his religious and portrait paintings.
