The Last Supper

Ask anything

• Alzbeta Polakova asked

  Dear Madame or Sir,
  I am student of theology at Charles University of Prague and I write my Master thesis about Judas Iscariot in the art and culture. I would like to use this painting of Judas from collections of your museum.
  Is it possible to use this image in my thesis? I will use it only for academic and research purposes.
  
  Thank you for the response.

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Alzbeta, Thank you for your interest. Reproduction is certainly possible. Images for reproduction can be retrieved from our reproduction department: images@boijmans.nl. Good luck with your thesis!

• Victoria Jones asked

  What does the inscription say in the banner held by the angels and at the bottom of the poster of the snake on a staff?

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Hi Victoria, the angels are holding a monstrance and the banner reads "Ecce panis angelorum" which is Latin for "see the bread of angels". The monstrance and the text refer to the host, the body of Christ. We don't have any information about the tekst at the bottom of the poster of the snake, however the depiction of the snake on the cross is a reference to the crucifixion of Christ. Does this help you? Have a nice day, Sarie.

• Claire asked

  Where is Judas?

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Claire, As is the case in this painting of the Last Supper, Judas can often be recognised as the person who receives the bread from Jesus. This particular moment is described in the Gospel of John 13:26: “Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.”
  Because Judas functioned as the keeper of the moneybag, he can frequently be seen with a bag of money in his hand. In this painting, the moneybag is hanging from Judas’ neck.
  Kind Regards, Tanja van Oostrum