The Last Supper

The Last Supper by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1523, is a profound example of Northern Renaissance graphic art, demonstrating the artist’s mature command of the woodcut medium. This print was executed during the turbulent period of the Reformation, and the reproducible nature of the woodcut allowed Dürer's complex religious imagery to circulate widely, influencing visual culture throughout Germany and beyond. The precise, dense linework reveals Dürer’s mastery, creating dramatic chiaroscuro effects that lend depth and intensity to the scene.

The composition depicts Jesus surrounded by the twelve apostles, the men arranged intimately around a semicircular table. Unlike many earlier depictions of the Last Supper that emphasized the betrayal by Judas Iscariot, Dürer focuses intently on the institution of the Eucharist, a theological moment of great significance in the early sixteenth century. Christ stands at the center, radiating calm authority, while the surrounding figures react with varying degrees of confusion, solemnity, and realization.

This late work reflects Dürer’s enduring commitment to merging the architectural rigor and proportional studies of the Italian Renaissance with the characteristic detail and expressive power of the German tradition. Dürer’s interpretation, particularly effective in its powerful use of negative space, ensured this woodcut became one of the most iconic religious prints of the era. This important impression is preserved within the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Today, high-resolution reproductions of Dürer’s historic work are frequently made available in the public domain, ensuring global access to this pivotal moment in printmaking history.