Albrecht Dürer, The Last Supper, Nuremberg
In one of his famous woodcuts, Dürer’s The Last Supper, subtlety and indirectly hints at his leanings toward Protestantism during the beginnings of the Reformation. Traditionally, the depiction of the Last Supper as told in the Gospels would have certain focuses: the bread, the sacrificial lamb, and the portrayal of Judas being pointed out as the traitor. However, in Dürer’s interpretation, several things are different as pointed out by various critics. One of these critics, Craig Harbison, points out three universally agreed-upon differences that point to Dürer’s Protestant leanings and Lutheran sympathies
First, not only is there bread, but there is a wine challis, suggesting that both the wine and the bread were to be taken during Communion by the laity, not just by the priests, as was the Roman tradition. Second, there is no half-eaten lamb on a platter as is portrayed in traditional Last Supper depictions. The absence of the lamb and the empty platter in foreground of the print shows the Protestant’s focus on a Resurrected Christ and not on the Sacrificed Christ.
Finally, the focus of the woodcut is not the part of the Last Supper where Judas is foretold to be the one to betray Jesus, but rather the part where Jesus is commissioning the eleven—minus Judas Iscariot—to love one another as he has loved them. This is much more attributable to the Protestant theology of the proclamation of the Gospel and less of the focus on the betrayal and crucification of the Christ, per the Roman tradition.
I appreciate the detail and shading of this woodcut. I also appreciate the use of the current technology of the time, the printing press, to spread art appreciation to the masses. This is also congruent with Dürer’s Humanism and philosophical writings which were in German, the vernacular of the people. I also like that you can see Jesus’ and the disciples’ toes. It causes me to feel the humanity and realism of these historical figures.
John's Arts and Culture Page 
I enjoyed the background information you provided about the history of the differing Communion traditions. Also I agree that the degree of detail in the shading of woodcut is impressive. One thing that I found difficult to follow was how the piece itself was a reflection of humanism influences. What specific aspects of the artwork is a reflection of humanism in connection with the Northern or Italian Renaissance? Lastly, I found there to be a lack of sources to validate the facts that you presented. Overall you present good information and interesting perspective on The Last Supper, especially the focus on the message to love one another rather than the betrayal of Jesus.
Who is the person in the arms of jesus? Surely there is some symbolism there as it is intentionally and most obviously the main difference between this and da vinci’s last supper, and you completely fail to discuss it.