The Institution of the Eucharist

Art Historical Context

Franz Anton Maulbertsch, leading Austrian artist of the late Baroque and Rococo periods, created *The Institution of the Eucharist around 1765. This evocative print captures a pivotal biblical moment from the Last Supper, where Christ institutes the sacrament of the Eucharist, sharing bread and wine with his disciples. Maulbertsch's dramatic style, characterized by swirling compositions, intense chiaroscuro lighting, emotional expressiveness, draws from the theatrical grandeur of the Baroque tradition while infusing Rococo elegance—hallmarks of his frescoes and altarpieces across Central Europe. Rendered as an etching and engraving on laid paper, the work showcases masterful printmaking techniques. Etching allows for fluid, spontaneous lines that convey movement and depth, while engraving adds precise, intricate details to the figures' robes and expressions. Measuring about 42 x 31 cm, this reproductive print made Maulbertsch's grand visions accessible beyond grand churches, democratizing religious art during the Enlightenment era. Housed in the National Gallery of Art thanks to the Ahmanson Foundation, the piece reflects the enduring cultural reverence for Eucharistic themes in Catholic Europe. It invites visitors to ponder faith, sacrifice, and artistic innovation in a single, luminous frame.

About the Artist

Franz Anton Maulbertsch · 1724–1796

Comment on works: Allegory; Portraits; Religious