The Communion of the Apostles (recto); Figures in Landscape (verso)

Artist Giovanni Segala (Italian, 1663 - 1720)

Datelate 17th-early 18th century

MediumPen and brown ink and wash, heightened with white, on gray blue paper (recto); Red chalk, pen and brown ink and wash, on gray blue paper (verso)

DimensionsOverall: 11 1/4 × 17 1/2 inches (28.58 × 44.45 cm)

Credit LinePurchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust

Object number44-29/4 A,B

On View

Not on view

Collections

European Art

Terms

Exhibition History

Elsie Allan Art Gallery, Baker University, Baldwin City, KS, 1955.

Gallery Label

A flurry of white strokes creates a halo effect around the figure of Jesus distributing bread during the Last Supper. Other details such as the placement of the Apostles further emphasize his special status. Through their gaze and gesture, they make Jesus the focal point of the composition. The event depicted here marks the first Communion, one of the central rituals in Christianity. According to the Bible, Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples, commanding them to reenact the meal in his memory.

Provenance

Purchased from Johann Waldemar de Rehling Quistgaard (1877-1962), New York, by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1944.

Published References

N/A

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