Majolica Last Supper in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, July 2011

The Last Supper

16th century


Dimensions: H. 8 1/2"; W. 12 5/6" (14 3/4" with base); L. 22 7/8" (24 1/2" with base)

Accession Number: 1983.61

Medium or Technique: Tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica)


Christ and twelve Disciples are seated on stools at a rectangular table, which is set with plates, cups, pitchers, and knives. Food includes rolls on the table, and meat, lemons, and other items on dishes. Three of the Disciples stand at either end of the table, with their stools pushed back behind them. Christ is seated in the center of the table, with long blonde hair and beard, and is wearing an ochre robe with blue mantel. Seated to his left is the young blonde, beardless figure of Saint John the Evangelist, and directly across from Christ is Judas, who holds a bag of money in his right hand. All the figures are barefoot, all but three have beards, and all, except Christ and Saint John, are dark haired. The figures are dressed in robes and mantels of blue, green, and ochre. The floor is painted blue, molded to look like stone, and is incised and lined in brown.

Credit Line
Bequest of R. Thornton Wilson in memory of Florence Ellsworth Wilson

Text from: www.mfa.org/collections/object/the-last-supper-264173