Da Vinci's The Last Supper - Image Analysis Assignment

Da Vinci's The Last Supper - Image Analysis - Assignment Example When one examines the work it is fairly simple to understand how the apostles’ reactions to Jesus depict their astonishment at his words. Da Vinci depicts them as astonished, crystallized in a performative, nearly ironic state of shock. Symbolically the image groups the apostles in groups of three, with each different group reacting to Jesus’ announcement in subtle yet pronounced ways. The groupings of three hold obvious religious significance as the number is echoed throughout the Bible in a number of incarnations. Perhaps the most relevant such incarnation in the context of this work is that which refers to Jesus’ resurrection after three days, as a direct result of his betrayal that led to his eventual crucifixion at the hands of the Romans. In one grouping, Bartholomew, James, son of Alphaeus and Andrew are depicted together as simple surprised. In another grouping, Judas Iscariot, Peter, and John are depicted together. In terms of Biblical significance this last grouping is the most relevant in terms of relation to Christ, as well as narrative significance within the painting. Peter and John represent two of the closet and Biblically significant disciples; also, as is well understood, Judas Iscariot is the one that would eventually betray Jesus.