As we continue in our Season of Lent sermon series on the twelve disciples of Jesus, here is some additional information about "The Last Supper" painting by Leonardo da Vinci. For other background information, refer to yesterday's sermon.
Trisha Clifford Sprouse, an artist in our church recently sent this picture of the painting to help us appreciate da Vinci's creativity in making a theological statement. Trisha shares, "This is 1 point perspective and the Christ sits at what is known in perspective as the vanishing point on the horizon line. Da Vinci uses it to draw our eyes toward the Christ as the focal point, even though we turn away, question, or deny we are drawn back to Christ by his use of the formal art elements of line, space, light, color, pattern, and shape."
This was a mathematical codification of perspective that occurred during the Renaissance, 1400-1550 by Filippo Brunelleschi. Artists use this idea of creating a realistic picture plane that shows space to further emphasize the meaning or symbolism of their artworks.
I have a friend and spiritual mentor who always reminds me to "Stay focused on Christ." It's easy to allow distractions to get in the way of keeping Christ at the center of our daily living. We can identify with the disciples who all denied him in different ways. The good news of our faith is that because of the good news of Easter and Jesus' resurrection, we can turn our eyes back on Christ, receive forgiveness and continue to follow him.
Another important piece of information about da Vinci's painting is his subtle emphasis on the importance of the Trinity, the doctrine that God is one God but known in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Notice in the painting that da Vinci has arranged the disciples in four groups of three. and there are also three windows. The doctrine of the Trinity reminds us that God is present with us, especially during times of adversity and betrayal.
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