The Last Supper 1603 - 1613

This drawing, "The Last Supper," was made by Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli, called Morazzone, around the turn of the 17th century. Morazzone lived and worked in a northern Italy undergoing dramatic social changes. In this work, we see the artist grappling with the religious and artistic conventions of his time. The scene depicts Jesus's final meal with his disciples, a subject frequently depicted during the Counter-Reformation. Artists were encouraged to create emotional and awe-inspiring images that would reaffirm the Church's authority. Morazzone uses brown ink and wash to create a somber and dramatic mood. The figures are rendered with a dynamic, almost restless energy. To understand Morazzone's artistic choices, we can research the artistic and religious climate of the time. Archival documents, religious treatises, and other drawings by the artist can provide valuable insights into the social conditions that shaped his work. Art becomes meaningful only when we recognize the historical context that shaped its creation.