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  • Essay / Analysis: The Last Supper - 2464

    The Last Supper of Jesus is a classic and often rendered event. First, the artist uses accent in this piece. Jesus is depicted in the center of the table, with an overwhelming halo above his head. The viewer's eye is immediately drawn to this focal point. Using emphasis to emphasize the importance of Jesus not only allows the viewer to immediately know who this piece is about, but it also allows the viewer to see his humble importance in a visual way. This work was created during a time of vigorous Christianity, so the artist clearly wanted to depict Jesus in an area where he was important and pure, achieved through the use of the halo. Jesus is also the only one looking directly at the viewer, which adds to the sense of emphasis since everyone in this room seems distracted. This use of emphasis through placement and the halo is also used in The Last Supper by Dagnan-Bouveret, as well as in the numerous pieces retracing this event. This creates the feeling that only Jesus knows the truth and only he can communicate it to the viewer. Additionally, the artist also uses balance, because although Jesus is the focal point of this piece, everything to his right and left remains in relative harmony. Even if the balance is not exactly symmetrical, a feeling of unity remains. This highlights the idea that although Jesus is the leader and most important, he brings unity to everyone around him. Even in the midst of the discord of the last supper, Jesus creates a sense of