THE LAST SUPPER REVISITED – The night of betrayal
$120 – $18,000
The Last Supper Revisited – Leather carving interpretation from Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece. DaVinci Last Supper leather carving
For interested buyers, don’t hesitate to ask at this link for a “First in first serve” 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. I maintained “The Last Supper Revisited” in my collection until 2011 when I refurbished and framed it. Working the leather was a physically demanding challenge with attention to detail, constant carving, beveling, and dyeing. During production, my fingers were in a regular state of overuse distress. I think RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) had not been discovered before 1977. At least I had not heard of it.
This piece was a labor of love and one which I am very moved to be so gifted to create.
Step of inspiration
Four thought components inspired this religious icon. DaVinci Last Supper leather
1. The first was Da Vinci’s famous last supper painting, late 15th-century mural artwork, and one of the world’s most well-known creations.
2. The second involved creating it on leather and modernizing the approach to detail. According to many sources, Da Vinci used a renaissance Italian home scene-setting and not the traditional Jewish setting of reclining on the floor.
3. The third was to research the text from Matthew 26:29 in the Bible. Jesus met with His disciples and the scene depicted their reactions to the conversation about who was going to betray Him.
4. The fourth was a personal revelation of God’s love made incarnate through Jesus and his sacrifice for mankind. Through this painting, I wanted to honor, as best I could, his story. DaVinci Last Supper leather
My research and revelation
Researching Da Vinci’s Last Supper for the leather carving I realized that Leonardo’s much-viewed painting is even more complex and wonderful than I first imagined. The betrayal of Jesus is a remarkable component of my Christian faith and is a striking, if not sobering, analogy of mankind’s rebellion against God and his plan for us. Some of these men depicted by Leonardo recorded this event in their historic letters, known as the gospels (an original Greek word evangel – meaning good news).
“The Last Supper” preceded the prophetically known sacrifice of Jesus, but also gives us an unshakable hope in his resurrection and promised return to bring reconciliation and peace to all of creation. Jesus made a lot of bold claims while he was on this earth. Many of the men at the last supper, like myself, found a lot of it hard to believe and take in.
As a natural-born skeptic, I felt that religion caused nothing but conflict and problems for the human race. However, as I researched more into Christianity, I felt Jesus’ message cut through the skepticism straight to my heart, and I had a sudden revelation of God’s adoration and love for me. It all made sense. Jesus never came to start wars or religions. He came to set us free from our self-reliance, to give us peace, purpose, joy, wisdom, and to restore the connection between creator and creation, between the physical universe and the spiritual supernatural world. It was a night of celebration preceding the foreseen great betrayal leading to the last 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 not normal 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 the courts of heaven revealing why mankind is separated from relational intimacy with the God of creation.
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 of us through both 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 life 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. 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, or 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 * Bid or tender for the original artwork. All offers are considered around $18,0000.
Leather dyes and acrylics on hand-carved cow leather, treated with Coachaline and leather varnishes for protection. Coachaline is our preferred treatment to keep the moisture content in the leather and it keeps the leather 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 EDITIONS “ACRYLIC ENHANCED” CANVAS REPRODUCTIONS
Please ask about the price and sizes – Replicating original size (1100 x 1270) on stretch mounted archival canvas price starting from $3500 inc GST
75 LIMITED EDITIONS 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 Women’s Fashions through Vida and 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