The Last Supper

The strong artificial light brings out from the darkness the individualised faces of the conversing Apostles. Among those, the eye is drawn to the gloomy face of Judas, turned away from the table towards the spectator, firmly grasping in his hand a pouch with money. The painting demonstrates characteristics of the so-called Tenebrism, i.e. shaping the painting’s composition with the chiaroscuro effect, associated with the art of Caravaggio. Willmann could have come across works painted by some followers of the Italian genius during his studies in the Netherlands. The painting, based on one of the oldest and most vital themes in Christian art, was originally housed in the Church of Lubiąż Abbey.