Three Groups of Apostles in a Last Supper 1600 - 1604

Peter Paul Rubens made this pen and brown ink drawing, Three Groups of Apostles in a Last Supper, in the 17th century. We see the artist grappling with a scene of profound significance within the Christian faith. Rubens was a prominent figure in the Flemish Baroque movement. His artistic production occurred within a society deeply influenced by the Catholic Church. He ran a large workshop, and there are no firm dates for this drawing. This image seems to explore the psychological tension between Christ and his apostles. The apostles' expressions convey emotions from disbelief to sorrow. As historians, we can look at the cultural history of religious art in the 17th century, and analyze how Rubens's interpretation fits into the established traditions and how it deviates from them. Further study of Rubens's workshop practices might help us to understand this image better. Art like this is inextricably linked to its social and institutional context.