Christus en apostelen tijdens laatste avondmaal 1679 - 1728

Abraham de Blois made this engraving, “Christ and the Apostles at the Last Supper,” in the Netherlands, most likely at the very end of the 17th or beginning of the 18th century. This image depicts the last meal Jesus shared with his apostles before his crucifixion. The setting is intimate, almost domestic, with the figures reclining together informally. But the architecture of the room is what interests me most. The classical columns and arches speak to the institutional power of the church. Yet, above the figures is an oculus showing the stars. This detail expands the significance of the scene beyond the earthly and suggests the infinite scope of spiritual matters. Artists at this time were often commissioned by religious institutions to create images that would reinforce faith and doctrine. To understand de Blois's choices, we might look into the religious climate of the Netherlands at the time, and the role of the Dutch Reformed Church in shaping social and political life. Careful consideration of the social and religious context helps reveal the complex relationship between art, faith, and power.