The Last Supper - Johannes Sadeler I

A fine 16th-century engraving of the Last Supper by Johannes Sadeler I, based on a design by Peter Candid.

This engraving, titled Coena Domini, represents the Last Supper as interpreted by the Flemish printmaker Johannes Sadeler I. The composition is based on a design by the painter Peter Candid, who was active in Munich during the late sixteenth century. Sadeler, a member of a prolific family of engravers, produced this work during his period in Venice, where he collaborated with local publishers such as Stefano Scolari.

The print depicts the biblical scene with the characteristic stylistic traits of Northern Mannerism. The figures are arranged around a table, with Christ positioned at the centre, his head surrounded by a faint halo. To his right, Saint John leans against him in a gesture of sorrow. The other apostles are grouped in various states of contemplation and interaction. The engraving technique employs fine, controlled lines to create volume in the drapery and depth in the facial features, typical of the high-quality reproductive prints of the era.

At the base of the image, the Latin inscription from the Gospel of Luke (22:14-15) provides the narrative context for the scene. The inclusion of the phrase 'Petrus Cand: pinx' acknowledges the original painter, while 'Ioan: Sadeler sculps' identifies the engraver. The work demonstrates the technical precision required for copperplate engraving, where the artist must translate the tonal values of a painting into a system of hatching and cross-hatching. This print serves as an example of how religious imagery was disseminated across Europe through the medium of the printed image during the late Renaissance and Mannerist periods.