Florence Last Suppers: Last Supper Tour

The representation of the Last Supper is a primary theme in art history, often encountered in convents along with other scenes critical in the life of Jesus. During the 1400s the Last Supper became one of the most common themes.

Florence contains many different examples from different eras and of different sizes, displaying the great wealth of variety in a common theme. Here are five of the most interesting, and lesser known, Last Suppers, emphasizing that we could name many more including those of Taddeo Gaddi in Santa Croce and Domenico Ghirlandaio at Badia di Passignano, all are examples of works of art by great masters.

Last Supper di Fuligno
Firenze, Via Faenza 42, 50123

Pietro Perugino and his school painted this Last Supper around 1430 in the refectory of the Franciscan Convent of Sant ‘Onofrio. The scene is calm and serene; the interior opens up towards a natural landscape marked by important architecture. The figure of Judas is isolated on one side of the table according to established iconography, to emphasize his identity; his left hand grasps the bag with thirty pieces of silver.

Cenacolo di Sant’Apollonia
Firenze,Via XXVII Aprile 1, 50129

Dated 1447, this work is given great importance due to its Renaissance character. Andrea de Castagno designed the painting in a classic style that refers to the thought of Leon Battista. The scheme is quite rare, with the figure of Judas facing away from the group, located to the left of Christ. De Castagno also painted a Crucifixion, the Deposition in the Tomb and the Resurrection in the Convent of Santa Apollonia.

Cenacolo di Ognissanti
Firenze,Via Borgo Ognissanti 42, 50123

A majestic table, nearly 8 meters in length, painted in 1488 by Domenico Ghirlandaio in the refectory of the Convent of Ognissanti. The scene is characterized by a peaceful atmosphere that opens onto a fantastic natural countryside in the background with birds and trees.
You can enter the refectory from the North side of the cloister decorated with frescoes by Giovanni da San Giovanni, Jacopo Ligozzi and Filippo Tachiani amongst others, in the 1600s.

Cenacolo di Andrea del Sarto
Firenze,Via di San Salvi 16, 50135

Andrea del Sarto, one of the most important artists of the 1500s, painted this elegant work of art in the refectory of the Church of San Michele a San Salvi, in around 1527. In this unique version, Judas isn’t isolated on one side, but is integrated with the group of the Apostles. The painting is also unique for the presence of two spectators who witness the scene, an uncommon touch, but one that adds further refinement to the work. The ex-monastery in which the painting was made is now a museum which takes its name from the painting.

Cenacolo Museo San Marco

This particular Last Supper was the third and last of a series of Last Supper executed by “Domenico Ghirlandaio” (the others are the Last Supper of Badia di Passignano in 1476 e the Last Supper of Ognissanti in 1488). It was commissioned by the Dominican friars while the artist was at the height of his career. The work decorated a smaller refectory, where guests of the monastery typically ate.

The notable attention to details manages to convey the feelings and moods of the diners. The atmosphere is much more serious than that of the Cenacolo di Ognissanti. Judas is represented from behind, holding a piece of bread Jesus offered him.

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