The Last Supper (Schr. 176a) 15th century

This is a small, anonymous woodcut of the Last Supper. Produced in Germany, most likely in the late 15th century, it’s one of many images that were widely circulated at the time. These images are fascinating because they give us a window into the visual culture of the period. We can see how religious stories were being presented to a broad audience through cheap, easily reproducible prints. The scene is instantly recognizable: Christ and his disciples gathered for the Passover meal. The halos, the arrangement around the table, and the expressions on their faces all tell a well-known story of faith, betrayal, and sacrifice. But these woodcuts weren't just about religious instruction. They were also about commerce, and the emerging print market. By studying these images, and the social networks through which they circulated, we can learn a lot about the intersection of art, religion, and the economy in early modern Europe. We can ask: what are the politics of imagery? And what are the social conditions that shape artistic production?