The Last Supper, from "The Large Passion"

The Last Supper, from "The Large Passion" by Albrecht Dürer, dating to 1510, is a masterful example of German Renaissance printmaking. This dynamic woodcut is one sheet from Dürer’s critically acclaimed series detailing the Passion of Christ, a cycle specifically intended for widespread public distribution throughout Northern Europe. Unlike previous Renaissance depictions that often placed the pivotal scene in grand, palatial settings, Dürer confines the Last Supper to a humble, intimate interior, focusing the viewer’s attention entirely on the figures and the dramatic action unfolding.

Dürer captures the precise moment of the Apostles’ consternation immediately following Christ’s revelation that one among the twelve Men will betray him. Christ sits centrally at the dining table, surrounded by the alarmed Apostles who react with varied expressions of confusion and distress. The composition emphasizes the emotional complexity of the event rather than focusing strictly on the Eucharistic ritual. The simple table is sparsely set, yet the placement of key Vessels and humble Food items directs the narrative flow.

The strong, expressive contrasts and powerful black-and-white lines inherent to the woodcut medium heighten the psychological tension of the scene. Dürer's innovative approach to printmaking made his work immensely accessible and popular across Europe, cementing his reputation as the preeminent graphic artist of the German Renaissance. This crucial image from the cycle demonstrates the technical dexterity required to achieve such detail in a relief print. The work is currently preserved in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a core example of Dürer’s legacy.