Posted on 04/07/2010 1:00:43 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Universite de Montreal researchers decode food served in legendary painting
Montreal, March 30, 2010 – The Last Supper – relentlessly studied, scrutinized, satirized and one the world's most famous paintings – is still revealing secrets. Researchers Olivier Bauer, Nancy Labonté, Jonas Saint-Martin and Sébastien Fillion of the Université de Montréal Faculty of Theology have found new meaning to the food depicted by Leonardo Da Vinci's famous artwork.
"We asked ourselves why Da Vinci chose those particular foods, because they don't correspond to what the Evangelists described," says Bauer. "Why bread, fish, salt, citrus and wine? Why is the saltshaker tipped over in front of Judas? Why is the bread leavened?"
The four researchers don't buy into the farfetched hypotheses introduced by Dan Brown in his best-selling book, The Da Vinci Code, yet they agree the artist included symbols and commentary in his depiction. He purposely attempted to confuse and fool the observer with contradictory symbols and double-meanings.
For instance, a fallen saltshaker is traditionally a sign of bad luck. The researchers question if instead of indicating the mischief of Judas, the fallen saltshaker could suggest his rehabilitation. He could have been chosen to play the role of the traitor. And why is he the only one with an empty plate? It could mean he is full and mischievous or that he is the only one who isn't fooled?
The fish has also been the topic of several studies. It is clearly a reminder that Jesus spent most of his life around Lake Tiberias and that he selected his Apostles among local fishermen. Yet it isn't clear whether the fish is herring or eel. Some argue Da Vinci was deliberately ambiguous about the species of fish. Eel in Italian is aringa, although when it is spelled arringa it means indoctrination. And herring in northern Italy is renga, meaning he who denies religion.
The painting continues to fascinate and mystify. Its restoration, which took place between 1979 and 1999, has brought to light new details that along with new technology has spurred a new wave of research and interpretation of one of the world's most famous artworks.
Ping
Well the leavened bread could be symbolic or foreshaddowing that Christ is risen.
“For instance, a fallen saltshaker is traditionally a sign of bad luck” - Jesus spoke about the disciples being Salt but said when salt looses it’s flavour it is good for nothing - that might be a more biblical way of looking at it- why would these people look at biblical explanations when they can jump to conclusions or assertions? Hey and sometimes a fish is just a fish!
Mel
Government employees... ah, what to do, what to do with the taxpayer’s money.
Puts me in mind of a very funny Monty Python sketch where the Pope is trying to rein in some of Leonardo’s initial artistic license.
Or the image
Don’t you love it when non Christians and people who have barely read the bible try to figure out Christians and Christian symbolism?
“Jesus spoke about the disciples being Salt but said when salt looses it’s flavour it is good for nothing”
They’ve probably spent weeks trying to figure this out, probably with government grants, and you immediately I am sure find the correct interpretation.
How can salt lose its flavour?
Ya know I got into a self made study of others who Painted the Last supper.
What I was interested in I think part of a mosaic was found is that the theory of in the Roman/Greek time folks did not sit around the table as in DaVincis painting.
It would have been more like lounging around the table and when Jesus feet were washed with the expensive oil he would have been reclined at the table arangement of three rather than one long so his feet would have been easily accessible not the gal going under the table to wash them...
None of it matters it was just something to amused myself with at the time.
bookmark
Fact is, no one knows the reasons for any of this except the painter and he aint telling. Anything else is pure speculation.
Pretty much the same as the Global Warming pseudo-science.
My thoughts are just as relevant as any of these “learned scholars” doing the speculating.
Dunno really it wouldn’t be salt then I suppose. LOL
Well I may be way off beam but what it does show is that my wild guesses can sound just as plausible as some expert with an agenda!
Blessings
Mel
Yeah, but this most popular painter got so many things different from what we read in the scripture, maybe all of the scripture is wrong.
Or could it be that the painter is just full of it?
Fact is, no one knows the reasons for any of this except the painter and he aint telling. Anything else is pure speculation.
Pretty much the same as the Global Warming pseudo-science.
My thoughts are just as relevant as any of these “learned scholars” doing the speculating.
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