Last Supper c. 16th century

Curator: It's remarkably stark, isn't it? The starkness of the lines makes the scene feel very immediate. Editor: Indeed. We are looking at "Last Supper" by Léonard Gaultier, likely created sometime between his birth in 1561 and death in 1641. It is currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Curator: The halo around Jesus' head is so pronounced. It's an immediate visual cue, of course, but it also emphasizes his spiritual presence even more dramatically within this gathering. And look at the staffs they all carry. Editor: Those staffs are interesting. I wonder about the materiality of the etching process itself. What kind of metal plate was used? And who commissioned this print, for what purpose? Was it widely distributed? The hatching is so precise. Curator: The scene is heavy with the symbolism of the impending betrayal, of course. The positioning of Judas, about to reach for the morsel, is a powerful visual signifier of his role in the narrative. This image carries so much cultural weight. Editor: Agreed. And it makes you wonder about the labor involved in creating and distributing images like this, the networks that supported it, and the consumption habits of its intended audience. Curator: It is a potent blend of artistry and enduring symbolic narrative. Editor: And also a window into the material culture and craftsmanship of its time.