Action Shot
The Last Supper is like a snapshot. Something has just triggered the vast array of emotions shown by the disciples. Jesus remains calm and composed, his arms open before him. What is happening?
The instant painted by Leonardo da Vinci corresponds to verse 24 from the thirteenth chapter of John’s gospel. The disciples are reacting violently to what their master has just announced to them: ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me’ (John 13:21).
Peter, leaning behind Judas, gets John’s attention and whispers in his ear, ‘Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.’
The answer to Peter’s question varies between the gospels. In John's gospel, Jesus indicated the betrayer by giving him a morsel of bread after dipping it. Matthew and Mark wrote: ‘He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me, will betray me’ (Matthew 26:23; Mark 14:20). Accordingly, Leonardo painted the right hand of Christ and the left hand of Judas having already initiated a movement towards each other which would lead, a moment later, to the meeting of their hands.
Hand gestures are wonderfully expressive in the Last Supper. Some of them might even be linked to the geometry of the composition ...