Can you guess who the artist is from today’s painting? (If you see this on social media, head over to artfoodhome.com to see the answer!) What an incredible venue the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is! Mind blowing paintings everywhere you look. Artifacts from so long ago it’s hard to believe (saw a vase from 4,000 years ago in pristine condition)! I used to love the mummy – it mesmerized me. I didn’t see the mummy this trip. The DIA is run like a well-oiled machine. If you get too close to a painting an alarm will sound and there are many DIA people constantly walking by, so they are near in case the unexpected happens.

This painting is so impressive. Hard to believe it was painted in 1786! This painting is 98 x 140 1/2 (unframed) and 114 x 154 1/2 x 5 1/2″ (framed). Can you imagine? This painting was commissioned in the 1770’s… read on for the details!

Do you know who the artist is? Here’s the answer… (Information via Detroit Institute of Arts)

The Last Supper, 1786 – Oil on canvas – by Benjamin West (American, 1738-1820)

Here is an example of the grand paintings that King George III was commissioning in the 1770’s.

The picture is large, depicts a famous Christian subject, and challenged the artist to arrange several figures artfully to tell a story. West painted this interpretation of Jesus’ last meal for a chapel in Windsor Castle.

Founders Society Purchase, Robert H. Tannahill Foundation Fund and Gibbs-Williams Fund.

Now you know! Stay tuned next Monday for another fantastic painting!

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Read about Benjamin West HERE, from the National Gallery of Art.

IMAGES ARE NOT FOR REPRODUCTION, THEY ARE PROPERTY OF THE ARTIST.

🖼️ Until next time!