Last Supper (New Testament series)

by Editors of Phaidon Press

Buy new: $19.95 $4.27 Buy used: $1.59

Editorial Reviews

The Last Supper is not only one of the most intensely dramatic episodes in the Gospels, it also has enormous symbolic significance as the origin of the central Christian ritual of the Eucharist or Holy Communion. With its large cast of characters and its subtheme of betrayal, it has been a compelling subject for artists through the centuries. Presented here in a chronological sequence are over 100 of the finest representations of the subject, each demonstrating how the artist has responded to the complex challenge of creating a convincing group of individual personalities, and expressing their relationships with each other. Like its companion volumes, Last Supper presents a meditation on a single theme, yet one that is infinitely rich, allowing the viewer to appreciate the nuances of character and the endless skill with which artists have created new masterpieces out of old materials. Whether one focuses on the religious mystery, the human drama or the marvellous skill of the artist, these uncluttered and simply presented works of art provide food for thought and contemplation.

Customer Reviews

"Last Supper" is a wonderful book, in a fantastic collection, 2000-12-22
by Allan M. Gathercoal (Norcross, GA)

This collection has four books (Annunciation, Last Supper, Crucifixion, Descent) will be a treasure to all those who love great art, and especially those attracted to religious art. Each book is beautifully bound in its own brilliant metallic color: gold, silver, bronze and copper. The unique size and color of the books make this set aesthetically pleasing. It is a wonderful collection to display on any shelf. The prints, more than 100 in each book, are of superb quality. Phaidon, the publisher, is recognized for excellence and elegance in all their printing. There is scant text; each book has a New Testament scriptural preface, then a brief caption accompanies each image.

As the titles project, a central event in Christ's life is elucidated by the world's best artistic masters; each brings their own commentary to the selected Christological theme. Most enjoyable, and educational, is the progression through time, starting with early art pieces and finishing with contemporary masters. From beginning to end, each book is a wonderful journey through time.

In "Last Supper", artists over the last 1500 years capture more than a meal. They grasp the love and admiration of the disciple John and contrast him with the greed and betrayal of Judas. Each artist portrays the face of Christ surrounded by his disciples. From the classical Leonardo da Vinci to the contemporary Salvador Dali the final meeting of Christ and His twelve disciples is recorded by the world's best artist. Andy Warhol, best known for his commercial art, produced more than twenty large scale works of the last supper, and the two selected by Phaidon for this text show the mixed feelings that Warhol had towards the Catholic Church - though he regularly attended he would not take the Eucharist. "Last Supper" is a wonderful book, in a fantastic collection, at a very reasonable price. Highly recommended.