The Last Supper

“And when the hour was come, [Jesus] sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. … And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. … And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.” (See Luke 22:14–23.)

Over the years, many artists using many mediums have portrayed the consternation among the Twelve Apostles following the Savior’s announcement that one of them would betray him.

Some have copied Leonardo da Vinci’s famous fifteenth-century painting, right.

The detailed porcelain piece, above, was created in Italy in 1985. One of a limited edition, it is 100 centimeters long, 38 centimeters tall, and 40 centimeters in depth.

A crocheted piece, below, is the work of artist Veda Andreasen, of Midvale, Utah. Approximately 152 centimeters tall and 183 centimeters across, the crocheted work was ten years in the making.

Navajo Indian artist and returned missionary Harrison Begay, Jr., of Santa Clara, New Mexico, has captured the dramatic moment of the Last Supper in his clay sculpture, above. Each piece was hand-rubbed with polishing stones. Subtle facial expressions and hand gestures are conveyed in the unpolished areas.

Also based on the da Vinci masterpiece is a wall hanging of paper and silk, 114 centimeters long, right, created by Church member Chang, Yun-Szu of Taipei, Taiwan.

Each of the contemporary pieces shown here is in the collection of the Museum of Church History and Art, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Photography by Melanie Shumway