The Last Supper

Colijn de Coter's Last Supper in the National Museum in Warsaw depicts the institution of the Eucharist, the foundational moment of the Catholic sacramental system. De Coter's large-scale treatment of this subject reflects the theological emphasis on the Real Presence that was central to Netherlandish devotional culture before the Reformation. The tempera medium required careful preparation on a gessoed panel and a disciplined layering technique that produced precise, durable surfaces suited to the intricate detail expected of devotional painting.

The composition arranges the thirteen figures around the table in the traditional format, with de Coter's bold modeling and individualized facial types giving each apostle a distinct character within the unified dramatic scene.