Blog

A powerful image often owes its impact to the structure you don’t see.

Jesus has just spoken these chilling words: “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

The range of emotions Leonardo portrays in the aftermath is astonishing. The vehemence and multiplicity of the disciples’ reactions are counterbalanced by the serene presence of Jesus and a remarkable sense of order and harmony that arises from the composition itself.

Brachert’s grid not only defines the architectural space of The Last Supper—it also governs the distribution of the apostles along the table.

The disciples form four groups, two on each side of the central figure of Jesus.

📐 According to Brachert, the groups at the far ends of the table each occupy three units of the grid. The two groups closest to Jesus are confined to just two units each.

This leaves two units in the centre occupied by Jesus alone, giving rise to a sense of authority and calm amid the chaos around him.