The Last Supper and the Agony in the Garden
Culture
Italian
, Spoleto
Dateabout 1300
Mediumfresco transferred to canvas
Dimensions235.4 x 256.3 cm (92 11/16 x 100 7/8 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Terms
Object number1924.24
Descriptionfrom Spoleto, no signatureLabel TextAmong the treasures of Worcester Art Museum’s collection are its frescoes from the convent of Santa Maria inter Angelos overlooking Spoleto, Italy. The convent was a community of nuns, and the frescoes were originally in the upper floor of the convent chapel. The female nuns sat in this area while male priests performed the ritual of the Mass below. The images provided the women a visual focus for the ceremony that they could hear but not see. This spectacular image of the Last Supper shows a convivial dinner among friends. The artist realistically represents the table and place settings of a well-to-do medieval household, complete with pitchers, bowls, cups, and utensils. But in the lower right we see what happened after the meal. Christ is shown praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, wrestling with the knowledge that he will die in torment the following day.ProvenanceJohn Levy Gallery, New York, NY
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