THE LAST SUPPER.
By Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
This was painted on the wall of a monastery in Milan. It has been damaged and mutilated, and now is almost faded out.
This is one of the greatest pictures ever painted. The following is an explanation of the picture: "Judas half turns to discover of whom St. Peter is speaking so passionately, and is preparing himself to deny everything. But he is already discovered. St. James the Less, passing his arm over the shoulder of St. Andrew, touches St. Peter to tell him that the traitor is at his side. St. Andrew looks at Judas with horror, and St. Bartholomew, at the end of the table, has started up from his seat to regard him more intently. At the left of Christ, St. James protests his innocence by a natural gesture. St. Thomas, pressing near to Christ, seems to ask 'One of us?' St. Philip, the youngest of the apostles, places his hand over his heart and rises to protest his fidelity. St. Matthew repeats the terrible words to the indignant St. Simon, who refuses to believe them. St. Thaddeus, who has first told them to him, points to Matthew to confirm them. The dying rays of evening light add deeper somberness to the sad face of the Christ."
--Stendhal, "History of Italian Painters"
When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, one of you shall betray me."
The disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spoke. There was at the table reclining in Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoneth to him, and saith unto him, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaketh."