Tintoretto's The Last Supper

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When studying Tintoretto's Last Supper, one will look at it and assume it all does not conenct to the original text because it is such a different painting than the more popular one by Leonardo da Vinci. Tintoretto does not only create a more intimate scene by shifting the whole perspective, but also connects to some of the text settings and reations of the disciples. I think the most important part of the scene is the disciples themselves becuase their reactions can connect to a lot of the actual quotes from the text making this painting so sophisticated. I in fact liked this painting so much more than the da Vinci because of its "weirdness." There is so much more intensity involved in this painting as well as raw emotion making it feel more human compared to the da Vinci.

I think here in Tintoretto's painting, he connects to this quote from Matthew 26:17-30 very well. All the ones with the halos are disciples which help us identify them. The look of the disciples at the table are in shock and question. From the audiences perspective, it is very clear whaf the emotion of the people are based on their body language. Everyone at the table looks like their are pondering whether they are going to betray Jesus or not. Tintoretto usuing this scene is very powerful becuase it puts the figures in motion. Not only that, the reactions of the disciples can be connected to a lot of this painting.

Disciple Reactions

" And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto Him, 'Lord, is it I?'” (Matthew 26:17-30)

Here in this quote, Jesus is in the midst of telling everyone that someone is going to detray him and that the bread is his blood and the wine is his blood. In this painting, the cup is being passed down by Jesus. This could also connect to the other point with the disciples reactions to what Jesus is saying, sending the chain reaction of questioning thoughts within the disciples.

Jesus Body and Blood

"And He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all of it"(Matthew 26:17-30)

Juads here is seen being the only one sitting on the other side of the table. Judas's hands are look like he is talking, but not just that, he is pointing to himself, signifiyng that he is going to betray Jesus. The other disciples are very important here becuase this could also be connected to their reactions to what Judas is telling them

Judas

" Then Judas, who betrayed Him, answered and said, 'Master, is it I?' He said unto him, 'Thou hast said.'"(Matthew 26:17-30)

There is no say of any angels in the verse. Tintoretto might have added it to make the scene more dramatic.

Angels

The setting of the paiting very much macthes what the bible verse says. It is said to have been in a man's house which from the looks of the interior, it very well could be the correct setting compared to da Vinci's painting where it feels too "perfect."

Setting

"And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say unto him, ‘The Master saith, 'My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at thy house with My disciples.'"(Matthew 26:17-30)

one difference that I see here is that Judas is apart of th disciples, but does not have a halo. Here he is depicted as almost a regular person. The only way to identify him is because he is the only one sitting on that side of the table.

Judas Halo?

Another thing that is not said in the verse is all the other people. These people could indictae servants to create more commotion and intensity in the painting, but within the actual source text, that detail is not present."Now when the evening had come, He sat down with the twelve." There is way more than just the twelve disciples here.

Servants? Other People?

Here, the bright lamp is right over the disciples which can connect to Jesus talking about how their spirits are strong and can do so much, but also weak. In this quote from line 41 in the same chapter, Jesus is protecting them and watching them. This might not be so obvious when reading the chapter and looking at it, but it shows siginifcance and detail that Tintoretto took into consideration

Holy Spirit

"The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”(Matthew 26)