The Last Supper, with a Spaniel
Original title: The Last Supper, with a Spaniel
kurzbeschreibung
A spaniel rests on the floor beneath a long table where Jesus and his twelve apostles are gathered. This Last Supper, engraved by Giovanni Pietro da Birago around 1500, gives the biblical scene an unusual twist with the dog in the foreground.
Description
Twelve apostles surround Jesus Christ, who sits at the center. The disciples adopt various poses: some pray, others seem to eat or talk among themselves. Plates, cups, and bread are set on the table. Two windows in the background open onto a landscape. The spaniel lies below the table on the floor. The layout feels balanced and nearly symmetrical.
Context
Giovanni Pietro da Birago was active as a printmaker in northern Italy around 1500. His output includes many meticulously detailed engravings of religious subjects. A dog appearing in a biblical scene is fairly common in Renaissance art; it could be understood as a symbol of faithfulness, for instance.
Impact
Although the engraving is entirely in black and white, the scene conveys a calm, devotional mood. The clear arrangement, with Christ as the focal point, gives the sheet order and dignity. The spaniel in front of the table adds an unexpected, almost familiar touch and brings the event closer to the viewer.
Technique
For this engraving, the design was incised into a copper plate and then printed on paper. The delicate lines and hatching create rich detail and subtle gradations of light and dark. At 21.3 × 44 cm, the horizontal format does justice to the extended table.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)