The Last Supper, from Speculum passionis domini nostri Ihesu Christi

About this artwork

The Last Supper, from Speculum passionis domini nostri Ihesu Christi is a prints by German artist Hans Schäufelein|Ulrich Pinder|Friedrich Peypus, created in 1507. The work was created using woodcut. It measures Sheet: 9 5/16 × 6 1/4 in. (23.7 × 15.9 cm). Printmaking during this period was an essential medium for disseminating artistic imagery and ideas across broad audiences. The technique involved careful preparation of printing surfaces and meticulous application of ink to transfer images ont...

Art Historical Context

In the early 16th century, artist Hans Schäufelein, in collaboration with Ulrich Pinder Friedrich Peypus, createdThe Last Supper*, a woodcut print from devotional book *Speculum passionis domini Ihesu Christi*Mirror of the Passion of Our Jesus Christ), dated 1507. This intimate sheet, measuring just 9 5/16 × 6 1/4 inches, captures the biblical scene of Jesus and the Apostles sharing their final meal, rendered with the fine detail characteristic of Northern Renaissance printmaking. Woodcuts like this one were revolutionary for their time, allowing intricate religious imagery to be produced affordably and widely distributed. Schäufelein's precise carving of wooden blocks, followed by inking and pressing onto paper, made profound Christian narratives accessible to pilgrims, scholars, and everyday devotees beyond elite patrons. As part of a Passion series, it served both devotional and educational purposes, inviting contemplation of Christ's sacrifice amid the era's fervent religious humanism. Today, this delicate print graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, a gift from Junius S. Morgan in 1919. It exemplifies how early modern prints bridged art and faith, preserving cultural heritage for generations of visitors.

About the Artist

Hans Schäufelein|Ulrich Pinder|Friedrich Peypus · 1480–1540

Hans Schäufelein (c. 1480–c. 1540) was a German painter and graphic artist of the Northern Renaissance whose career placed him at the heart of one of the most dynamic artistic environments in European history. As a young man, he entered the workshop of Albrecht Dürer in Nuremberg, an experience that proved decisive: Dürer's meticulous approach to draughtsmanship, his mastery of printmaking, and hi...