The Last Supper: A Dog's Tale

is there a dog painted in the last supper

The Last Supper is a famous biblical scene that has been depicted by many artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Peter Paul Rubens, and Matteo Ingoli. While da Vinci's version does not feature any animals, Ingoli's version, located in a Franciscan monastery in Hvar, Croatia, includes a dog. This detail is unique and can be seen on the extreme right of the painting, where a dog comes from behind a pillar next to a beggar lying before the table. Another painting by Matteo Rosselli, located in the Conservatorio di San Pier Martire in Florence, includes a cat in the scene.

Characteristics Values
Artist Matteo Ingoli
Location Franciscan Monastery, Hvar, Croatia
Description The dog is located at the extreme right of the painting, coming from behind a pillar next to a beggar lying before the table on which the meal has been served
Symbolism Dogs are traditionally symbols of faith. The dog near Judas may represent greed or evil as in John 13:27
Other paintings with dogs Matteo Rosselli's Last Supper (1613-14) includes a cat before the table. Cosimo Rosselli's painting in the Sistine Chapel (c. 1481-2) features two cats at the Last Supper
Other paintings with similar themes Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, Peter Paul Rubens' Last Supper (1630-31)
Modern interpretations A canine version of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper was designed to highlight the abandonment of dogs by their owners. A modern advertisement by the Organizzazione Internazionale Protezione Animali (OIPA) features a similar theme, with the copy "One of you betrays us 150,000 times every year" referring to the number of dogs put down in Italy annually

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A dog is depicted in Matteo Ingoli's version of the Last Supper, painted between 1630 and 1631

Matteo Ingoli's version of The Last Supper, painted between 1630 and 1631, is unique in its depiction of a dog. The painting, which hangs in a Franciscan monastery in Hvar, Croatia, shows Jesus and the Apostles during the Last Supper, with a dog appearing at the extreme right of the painting, emerging from behind a pillar next to a beggar lying before the table. The dog's right leg is slightly lifted, which may indicate a begging posture. The apostle at the end of the table appears to be preparing to give some food to the beggar, with the dog potentially the next recipient of this generosity.

The inclusion of a dog in Ingoli's version of The Last Supper is notable, as dogs traditionally symbolise faith, and are often seen as representing greed or evil as companions of Judas. While no dog is mentioned in any of the gospel narratives of the Last Supper, the gospel writers were familiar with the presence of dogs at places where people were eating. For example, in Matthew 15:27, a woman says to Jesus that dogs eat scraps that fall from the master's table.

Ingoli, born in Ravenna between 1585 and 1587, worked in and around Venice. His version of The Last Supper is not the only one to include animals. Matteo Rosselli's Last Supper (1613-1614) includes a cat, and this painting is currently in the Conservatorio di San Pier Martire in Florence. Another painter, Cosimo Rosselli, included two cats in his version of The Last Supper in the Sistine Chapel in the late 15th century.

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The dog is located on the extreme right of the painting, beside a beggar

The Last Supper is a painting with many iterations, but one of the most notable is the one housed in the Franciscan Monastery in Hvar, Croatia. This version of the painting is unique in that it includes a dog. The dog is located on the extreme right of the painting, beside a beggar. The beggar is lying before the table on which the Last Supper meal has been served, and the dog appears to be in a begging posture, with its right leg slightly lifted. The apostle at the end of the table is about to drop something into the bowl that the beggar is reaching for, and the dog may be hoping for a share of the food.

The inclusion of a dog in this painting is significant, as dogs traditionally symbolize faith and are often seen as representing greed or evil. While no dog is mentioned in any of the gospel narratives of the Last Supper, the writers were likely familiar with the presence of dogs at places where people were eating. For example, in Matthew 15:27, a woman tells Jesus that dogs eat the scraps that fall from their master's table.

The Last Supper painting in Hvar is attributed to Matteo Ingoli, a painter who worked in and near Venice in the late 16th century. Ingoli's depiction of the Last Supper is known for its unique inclusion of a dog, which has been the subject of interest and discussion among art enthusiasts and scholars.

The monastery caption for the painting in Hvar previously attributed the work to Matteo Rosselli (1579–1651), who painted another version of The Last Supper that included a cat before the table. Another painter, Cosimo Rosselli, included two cats in his rendition of The Last Supper in the Sistine Chapel. These examples highlight the long and honored tradition of placing animals in depictions of biblical events.

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The dog is thought to represent greed or evil as the companion of Judas

The Last Supper, a painting by Leonardo da Vinci, has sparked various interpretations and controversies over the centuries. One of the most intriguing aspects is the possible inclusion of a dog in the scene, which has led to discussions about its symbolic meaning. While da Vinci's original work does not mention the presence of a dog, a closer examination of the painting's details and its interpretation by art historians provides insight into this intriguing element.

The painting, which depicts Christ and his apostles during the Last Supper, includes a figure believed to be Judas, dressed in blue and turning away from the table. Art historian J. Richard Judson offers an interpretation of a dog near Judas, suggesting that it may represent greed or evil as the companion of Judas, as mentioned in John 13:27. This interpretation adds a layer of symbolic complexity to the already emotionally charged scene.

While da Vinci's original work does not include a dog, subsequent versions and interpretations of the Last Supper have taken artistic liberties by including animals. For example, Matteo Ingoli's version of the Last Supper in a Franciscan Monastery in Hvar, Croatia, features a dog at the extreme right of the painting, emerging from behind a pillar next to a beggar lying near the table. Ingoli's depiction of the dog with its right leg lifted suggests a begging posture, perhaps symbolizing the hope of receiving food from the apostles.

Another variation of the Last Supper by Matteo Rosselli, painted between 1613 and 1614, includes a cat before the table. This version is currently displayed in the Conservatorio di San Pier Martire in Florence. Interestingly, Cosimo Rosselli, another painter with the last name Rosselli, included two cats in his rendition of the Last Supper in the Sistine Chapel around the late 15th century. These artistic interpretations showcase the creative liberties taken by different artists in their depictions of the iconic scene.

The inclusion of animals, particularly dogs, in biblical scenes is not uncommon. Dogs traditionally symbolize faith, and their presence in artistic representations of biblical events adds depth and symbolism. While da Vinci's original Last Supper does not depict a dog, the interpretations and variations by subsequent artists introduce new elements that offer unique perspectives on the iconic biblical scene.

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Dogs are traditionally symbols of faith, and are often placed in depictions of biblical events

Dogs have long been considered symbols of faith, and it is a time-honoured tradition to include them in depictions of biblical events. In the Franciscan Monastery of Hvar, Croatia, a painting of the Last Supper includes a dog, which can be seen at the extreme right of the artwork, emerging from behind a pillar next to a beggar lying before the table. The dog's right leg is slightly lifted, which may indicate a begging posture. The apostle at the end of the table is preparing to give something to the beggar, and the dog may be hoping to receive some food as well.

While the Gospel narratives of the Last Supper do not mention a dog, the writers were likely familiar with dogs being present where people were eating. In Matthew 15:27, a woman tells Jesus that dogs eat the scraps that fall from their master's table. This idea is also present in the parable at Mark 7:28.

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, which dates back to 1498, does not include a dog. However, the painting began to deteriorate soon after its completion due to Leonardo's decision to paint on dry layers of plaster instead of using the fresco technique. The painting was almost destroyed by Allied bombing in 1943, and subsequent restoration attempts covered it with layers of oil, glue, and resin, leading to what Professor Basile called a "false icon".

Despite the absence of a dog in Leonardo's original, modern artists have created canine versions of the masterpiece. One such example is an Italian ad for the Organizzazione Internazionale Protezione Animali (OIPA), or the International Organization for the Protection of Animals. The ad features a Last Supper scene with only one human, Judas, and the copy reads: "One of you betrays us 150,000 times every year," referring to the number of dogs put down in Italy annually. Another modern interpretation is a painting of nine Shiba Inu dogs recreating the iconic scene.

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A modern advertisement from OIPA features a canine version of the Last Supper to highlight the abandonment of dogs by their owners

A modern advertisement from OIPA (Organizzazione Internazionale Protezione Animali or the International Organization for the Protection of Animals) features a canine version of the Last Supper to highlight the abandonment of dogs by their owners. The advertisement, created by the Milan-based agency Remember, was published in October 2008. It features an illustration by Stefano Delli Veneri and copy by Massimo Mariottini, which reads: "One of you betrays us 150,000 times every year." This is assumed to refer to the number of dogs put down in Italy annually.

The OIPA advertisement is not the first artistic interpretation of the Last Supper to include a dog. Matteo Ingoli's version, which can be seen in a Franciscan monastery in Hvar, Croatia, includes a dog at the extreme right of the painting, where it appears to be begging alongside a beggar lying before the table on which the meal has been served. Ingoli's Last Supper is not the only depiction of the biblical scene to be housed in a monastery. Leonardo da Vinci's famous fresco is located in the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.

While da Vinci's painting does not include a dog, dogs have traditionally been used in art to symbolise faith. According to J. Richard Judson, the dog near Judas in Peter Paul Rubens' version of the Last Supper may represent greed or evil, as in John 13:27. Other artists who have included animals in their depictions of the Last Supper include Matteo Rosselli, who included a cat in his 1613-14 painting, and Cosimo Rosselli, who included two cats in a panel of the Sistine Chapel in the late 15th century.

The OIPA advertisement is a powerful example of how a well-known artistic work can be reinterpreted to draw attention to a social issue. By using a canine version of the Last Supper, the advertisement highlights the betrayal felt by dogs who are abandoned by their owners and encourages people to consider the impact of their actions.

Frequently asked questions

No, there is no dog in Leonardo da Vinci's painting of The Last Supper.

Yes, there is a painting of The Last Supper by Matteo Ingoli that includes a dog. There is also a depiction of The Last Supper by Peter Paul Rubens that includes Judas, who is the only human in the painting.

Matteo Ingoli's painting of The Last Supper is located in the Franciscan Monastery in Hvar, Croatia.

There are a few examples of paintings that include animals in biblical scenes. For instance, Matteo Rosselli's "Last Supper" (1613-1614) includes a cat, and Cosimo Rosselli's painting in the Sistine Chapel from the late 1400s includes two cats.

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