Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 1/8/2006

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Please identify the people in the last supper of leonardo da vinci, I cannot tell who is who, except Jesus Christ.
Thank you
Answer -
         Peace

dear N. Truong,

   The other people "around" the table with Jesus Christ are the twelve apostles.
   The fictional book of blasphemies and false history, called the "Da Vinci Code" say the man next to Jesus is really a woman. The woman being Mary Maganene (sp wrong?).
   Pius tradition tell us St. John the Beloved Apostle was the youngest of the Twelve. It was custom in many cultures to depict him beardless at the last supper, as Da Vinci depicted him.
         your servant but His first
         George


Hi George,
Thank you very much for your quick response, hopefully you can help more by telling the names of the apostles corresponding to their position in the picture, that would be a big help.
Regards,
Ngoc Truong

Answer
Peace.


dear Ngoc Truong,
   I had to do some digging in my art books but found them, which hardly get to use for such information. I mainly use them for ideas/imagery for my poetry.

Who's in it?

Looking across the picture from left to right:


• Bartholomew, James Minor and Andrew form a group of three. All are aghast, Andrew to the point of holding his hands up in a "stop!" gesture.


• Judas, Peter and John form the next group of three. Judas, you will note, has his face in shadow and is clutching a small bag (of silver?). Peter is visibly angry and a younger beardless John seems about to faint.


• Christ is the calm in the midst of the storm.


• Thomas, James Major and Philip are next. Thomas is clearly agitated, James Major stunned and Philip seems to be seeking clarification.


• Matthew, Thaddeus and Simon comprise the last group of three figures. It appears that, when a situation turns ugly, Simon is the "go to" guy for explanations.


I went on line searching and most sites, seem to confirm the above.


         your servant but His first
         george