The Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper with St. Peter and St. Paul

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper with. Peter and St. Paul*, a stunning mid-16th-century Mexican crafted by an unknown artist. This triptych, featuring hinged wings (19 x 6¼ inches each) and a central panel (19 x 12½ inches), depicts Christ at the pivotal moment of instituting the Eucharist during the Last Supper, flanked Saints Peter and Paul. Framed in ornate gilt wood, it resides in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, gifted by Coudert Brothers in 1888The medium—feathers and colored paper meticulously applied to wood—exemplifies *arte plumaria*, a rare colonial Mexican technique blending Indigenous featherworking traditions with European religious iconography. Artisans selected iridescent feathers from birds like hummingbirds and quetzals for their shimmering hues, creating luminous, jewel-like effects that mimic stained glass or enamel. This labor-intensive process, often produced in Franciscan workshops, highlights the skill of native craftsmen adapting pre-Hispanic crafts to Christian themes post-Spanish conquest. Culturally, the piece embodies early colonial syncretism in New Spain (modern Mexico), where Indigenous artistry served Catholic devotion. Surviving featherworks are scarce due to the medium's fragility, making this a precious glimpse into 16th-century religious life and artistic fusion. Visitors, marvel at its vibrant glow under gallery lights!