Last Supper

The drawing, Last Supper, attributed to "After Raffaello Sanzio, called Raphael, and workshop Italian, 1483-1520," was executed during the late 16th century, specifically between 1580 and 1599. This impressive work of draftsmanship utilizes pen and brown ink and brush and brown wash, enhanced by careful graphite additions. The complexity of the technique, applied to cream laid paper and subsequently laid down on two supportive layers of paper, signals the importance placed upon the mastery of the High Renaissance style in Italy during this period.

While not an original composition by Raphael, this piece serves as a crucial historical document reflecting the widespread influence of the master decades after his passing. The focus on the biblical subject of the Last Supper demonstrates the continued demand for compositions originating with 1483-1520 and his immediate circle. Drawings like this one were essential vehicles for transmitting famous Italian prototypes across Europe, often serving as records or models for later prints and engravings. The meticulous application of brown wash creates dramatic contrasts and depth, effectively translating Raphael’s narrative power into a portable format.

As a Classification Drawing, the quality and detail of the piece suggest the hand of a highly competent artist working within the pervasive tradition of copying and interpreting established Renaissance works. The continued scholarly interest in drawings based on Raphael is aided by the availability of high-resolution images of such masterworks through public domain initiatives. This significant drawing currently resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.