Last Supper Paperback – May 1, 2007

These small-format Phaidon books (there are others about the Annunciation, the Crucifixion, and the Deposition) are excellent. On every odd-numbered page there is a picture of the Last Supper as depicted between the late Roman Empire and now. The illustrations are arranged chronologically and come from a very wide variety of sources (they include paintings, sculptures, book illuminations, and liturgical objects). The comments are very minimal, but quite informative. I have been to many, many museums and churches, and I own many dozens of art books, but these books contain illustrations that I've never seen anywhere else. This little volume is a delight, and will provide you with countless hours of enjoyment.

It has a lot of photographs, but i expected them to be a little bigger. the book in the screen seem to show a little bigger photos, and there is no info!!! no history , very very little.I'll have to do more research or buy more books on the subject.

This is a great book with paintings from many artists and presented in a nice manner. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in religiious art.

This collection has four books (Annunciation, Last Supper, Crucifixion, Descent) will be a treasure to all those who love great art, and especially those attracted to religious art. Each book is beautifully bound in its own brilliant metallic color: gold, silver, bronze and copper. The unique size and color of the books make this set aesthetically pleasing. It is a wonderful collection to display on any shelf. The prints, more than 100 in each book, are of superb quality. Phaidon, the publisher, is recognized for excellence and elegance in all their printing. There is scant text; each book has a New Testament scriptural preface, then a brief caption accompanies each image.As the titles project, a central event in Christ's life is elucidated by the world's best artistic masters; each brings their own commentary to the selected Christological theme. Most enjoyable, and educational, is the progression through time, starting with early art pieces and finishing with contemporary masters. From beginning to end, each book is a wonderful journey through time.In "Last Supper", artists over the last 1500 years capture more than a meal. They grasp the love and admiration of the disciple John and contrast him with the greed and betrayal of Judas. Each artist portrays the face of Christ surrounded by his disciples. From the classical Leonardo da Vinci to the contemporary Salvador Dali the final meeting of Christ and His twelve disciples is recorded by the world's best artist. Andy Warhol, best known for his commercial art, produced more than twenty large scale works of the last supper, and the two selected by Phaidon for this text show the mixed feelings that Warhol had towards the Catholic Church - though he regularly attended he would not take the Eucharist. "Last Supper" is a wonderful book, in a fantastic collection, at a very reasonable price. Highly recommended.

Great, great price, superquick my going. You just don't get much better than that with the seller.

This series of books - on the Annunciation, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, and the Deposition - are, I guess, intended for religious contemplation as much as for art appreciation. That, anyway, would explain why they are all on religious subjects, and Phaidon haven't done any similar volumes on, say, portraits or mythological subjects. It might also explain why they are small in format, handy for carrying with you as a vade-mecum of Christian inspiration.I would imagine that they serve that purpose admirably, but I come at them from an art-appreciation perspective, and they are also excellent for that.The idea is simple - a collection of paintings (and a few sculptures) on a single theme, arranged chronologically and presented with a minimum of commentary, usually just the artist's name, medium, date and location. This provides a handy way of comparing how different artists, eras and styles have approached the same subject. It is fascinating to flick through them and compare the different treatments found in, for example, a Byzantine mosaic, a Medieval manuscript, a Renaissance altarpiece, a Baroque painting or a Modernist deconstruction, and to trace through the similarities and differences found through the centuries and in various artistic styles and traditions.It probably helps if you know a little bit about what you're looking at - both the artistic context and the religious iconography - and complete beginners might wish for a bit more commentary and explanation. But a survey of their contents is a little education in the evolution of artistic style and the contrasts of individual artistic expression.The reproductions are up to Phaidon's usual high standard, though from a strictly art-appreciation viewpoint the small format can sometimes be a disadvantage and make it difficult to appreciate the detail, but I don't think that's enough of a drawback to deny it 5 stars.

I like religious art

Very good

These small Phaidon books on arrt are fabulous and I have given several away as Christmas gifts. Came promptly and is excellent value.

These small Phaidon books on arrt are fabulous and I have given several away as Christmas gifts. Came promptly and is excellent value.