THE LAST SUPPER REVISITED – The night of betrayal
Price range: $120 through $35,700
The Last Supper Revisited – Leather carving interpretation from Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece. DaVinci Last Supper leather carving
Interested buyers, ask at this link for the acquisition of the framed original or number 1 of 15 limited edition acrylic enhanced reproductions. DaVinci Last Supper leather
THE STORYDaVinci Last Supper leather
I created the original carving in 1977 and kept The Last Supper Revisited in my collection until 2011, when I had it restored and framed. Working on the leather was a physically demanding challenge with attention to detail, constant carving, chamfering and dyeing. During production my fingers were in a regular state of overuse distress. I think RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) was not discovered until 1977. At least I had never heard of it.
This piece was a labour of love and I feel very moved to have been so gifted.
Stages of inspiration
Four components of thought inspired this religious icon. DaVinci Last Supper leather
1. The first was Da Vinci’s famous painting The Last Supper, a mural from the late 15th century and one of the world’s most famous creations.
2. The second was to create it on leather and modernise the approach to detail. According to many sources, Da Vinci used a Renaissance Italian domestic setting rather than the traditional Jewish setting of lying on the floor.
3. The third was to research the text of Matthew 26:29 in the Bible. Jesus was meeting with his disciples and the scene depicted their reactions to the conversation about who would betray him.
4. The fourth was a personal revelation of God’s love made flesh through Jesus and his sacrifice for humanity. Through this carving I wanted to honour his story as best I could. DaVinci Last Supper leather
My research and revelation
In researching Da Vinci’s The Last Supper for the leather carving, I realised that Leonardo’s famous painting is even more complex and wonderful than I had first imagined. The betrayal of Jesus is a remarkable part of my Christian faith and a striking, if not sobering, analogy for humanity’s rebellion against God and His plan for us.
Some of the men depicted by Leonardo recorded this event in their historical letters known as the Gospels. (The original Greek word is evangel, meaning good news).
“The Last Supper preceded Jesus’ prophetically known sacrifice.But it also gives us unshakable hope in his resurrection and promised return to bring reconciliation and peace to all creation.
Jesus made many bold claims during his time on earth, and the men at the Last Supper, like me 2000 years later, found much of it hard to believe and accept.
As a sceptic, I felt that religion only caused conflict and problems for the human race.But as I researched Christianity, I felt that Jesus’ message cut through the scepticism to my heart, where a revelation of God’s love for me made sense.
Jesus did not come to start wars or religions.He came to free us from our self-reliance and reconcile us with the Great I Am who gave life to all.
In Him I discovered peace, purpose, joy and wisdom that facilitated the connection between Creator and creation, the physical universe and the spiritual, supernatural world.
Although a shocking reality was about to unfold, it was a night of celebration that preceded the foretold great betrayal that would lead to the final defeat of darkness.
Why Jesus
Jesus taught that his betrayal would lead to death, but that his death, and subsequent resurrection, was a doorway to allow mankind to establish a relationship with God once again. This is the most exciting news in human history. So from me to you, be stubborn in seeking the answers and don’t give up until you find your own “Pearl of Great Price”.
Jesus came with a purpose to reveal the enemies of mankind (in the natural and supernatural world), which could not see. His birth, death, and resurrection are abnormal in our natural world. They served a purpose regarding the need for a perfect man to die a sacrificial death to satisfy the demands of heaven’s law. The law’s demands are written in heavens courts revealing why mankind is separated from relational intimacy with our creator God.
Additions & Legacy
I have added to the Da Vinci Last Supper leather carving the religious symbol of Jesus holding a lamb. This powerful metaphor of Jesus caring for such a small vulnerable creature parallels his adoration and desire to watch over those who trust in him as their savior. It also alludes to his guiding us through his Holy Spirit and the written word. DaVinci Last Supper leather
Leonardo named his painting “The Last Supper” as it was Jesus’ last meal with his friends before being betrayed by Judas and handed over to the Sanhedrin to be flogged and hung on a cross. The title carries a note of melancholy within it, as Satan’s direct influence becomes increasingly apparent from this time forward.
Tragically, Judas played his part and went down in history as the archetype of a traitor. The other apostles went on to be martyred for their declaration of Jesus as the Messiah and their steadfast statements about his resurrection. These men fulfilled their missions. They declared the gospel to the ends of the earth, and today we see the result of that conviction. Hundreds of millions of people alive today pay testament to the incredible power of Jesus in their lives and how he has reconnected them to a God of love and mercy.
The gospel continues to explode throughout the world. No political, cultural, or religious boundary can stop Heaven’s mission on earth. God fulfills His promise “Out of many nations He will make one nation for His glory” and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
The disciples’ reactions depicted by Da Vinci
The Last Supper specifically portrays the reaction of each Apostle when Jesus said one of them would betray Him. All twelve apostles have different reactions to the news, with questions and various degrees of emotion.
From left to right: Bartholomew, James, son of Alphaeus, and Andrew form a group of three. Leonardo depicted their surprise. Judas Iscariot, Peter, and John form another group of three. Judas is looking rather bemused and taken aback by the sudden revelation of his plan. He is clutching a small bag, perhaps signifying the silver given to him as payment to betray Jesus, or perhaps a reference to his role among the twelve disciples as treasurer. He is the only person to have his elbow on the table. Peter looks angry, perhaps foreshadowing the inner confusion and conflict which led to his violent reaction in Gethsemane during Jesus’ arrest, and later to his fearful denial.
The youngest apostle, John, appears to swoon before Jesus. The Apostles Thomas, James the Greater (possibly the younger brother of Jesus), and Philip are the next group of three. Thomas looks upset; James looks stunned, with his arms in the air. Meanwhile, Philip appears to be requesting some explanation. Matthew, Jude Thaddeus, and Simon the Zealot are the last groups of three. Jude Thaddeus and Matthew are turned toward Simon who is perhaps answering several of their questions.
Leonardo’s Positioning
In congruence with other depictions of “The Last Supper” from this period, Leonardo seats the diners on one side of the table, so that none of them have their back to the viewer. Most earlier depictions excluded Judas by placing him alone on the opposite side of the table from the others or placing halos around all the disciples except Judas. Leonardo instead has Judas lean back into the shadows. Jesus, at this moment, is predicting that his betrayer will take bread at the same time He does. His left-hand points to a piece of bread before them. Distracted by the conversation between John and Peter, Judas reaches for a different piece of bread. He does not notice Jesus too was stretching out with his right hand towards the same piece. DaVinci Last Supper leather
Most earlier depictions, exclude Judas, placing him alone on the opposite side of the table from Jesus or placing halos around the disciples except Judas.
A 19th-century discovery “The Notebook manuscript of Leonardo Da Vinci” revealed the Apostle’s names on page 232. Previously, Judas, Peter, John, and Jesus are the only ones positively identified.
A bit more on the supernatural
Conflicting religious arguments all vying for recognition cannot reveal the person and love of a very relational eternal creator. I decided the religious arguments and historical facts are not as important as what Jesus and His disciples said and did. It was this conviction that set me on a journey to discover what many of my friends wanted to convince me I could not find.
God is greater than our darkness. God reveals this mystery to anyone who genuinely seeks it. The supernatural is more real than the temporal world.
My exhortation
My exhortation is, “Do not get so busy building your empire to not consider God’s clear instruction to you that you must be born again”. Seek Him for peace of mind in your busyness and let Him give you hope that our world’s religions, politics, and philosophies cannot give”.
This Jesus of “The Last Supper” did it for you”.
Reproductions
Reproductions exhibit well in homes and offices from Dubai, London, New York, Paris, and Sydney. This beautiful leatherwork story is a testament to the infinite and eternal love of God in Jesus Christ.
STATUS and MATERIALS
ORIGINAL FOR SALE *
Leather dyes and acrylics on hand-carved cow leather are treated with Coachaline and leather varnishes for protection. Coachaline is our preferred treatment to keep the leather’s moisture content and keep it looking fresh. The carving is mounted on a special featured large New Zealand particleboard.
* Original and Limited Edition reproductions supplied with Provenance, coded Authentication of Sale Certificate, and maintenance/care information.
15 LIMITED EDITION “ACRYLIC ENHANCED” CANVAS REPRODUCTIONS
Please ask about the price and sizes – Replicating the original size (1100 x 1270) on stretch-mounted archival canvas starts from $3500 inc GST
75 LIMITED EDITION CANVAS REPRODUCTIONS *
Unframed sizes | 960 x short side – $960 | 650 x short side – $650
Printed on long-life archival canvas and protected with two coats of UV archival spray.
* Stretch-mounted reproductions will incur added charges for mounting and freight.
OPEN EDITION POSTER ART PRINTS *
Unframed sizes | 594 x short side – $120
* Posters printed on fine art papers and treated with two coats of UV archival protection spray.
FASHION and PRODUCTS
Images from “The Last Supper Revisited” are exhibited on multiple product lines at Fine Art America
SHIPPING
- Includes insurance and package/handling fees.
- The Original and Limited Edition reproductions ship with the Provenance coded Authentication of Sale Certificate and maintenance information.
- Poster art prints ship in insured tubes.
AWARDS
Certificate of Excellence, Artivita International Online Art Competition, 2014, USA