Het Heilig Avondmaal c. 1734 - 1801

Jacobus Buys created this rendition of The Last Supper, titled Het Heilig Avondmaal, as an engraving. The monochromatic composition of the print results in a play of light and shadow that evokes a somber mood. The visual elements of the artwork invite us to consider its symbolic structure. The scene is divided into clear zones: the earthly realm, occupied by the figures of Christ and his disciples, and the divine suggested by the draped canopy and chandelier above. The semiotic language of the work uses light to signify holiness. Christ is positioned at the center, bathed in light, in contrast to the shadowed faces of the disciples. The table acts as a symbolic boundary between the viewer and the sacred event, enhancing the sense of distance. Ultimately, this engraving functions as a site of cultural and philosophical discourse, prompting us to consider the relationship between the material world and the spiritual realm.