DAVINCI THE EASTER BUNNY

Hello all, Steph here, and happy Easter Sunday, Christ is risen and that yeah. So for an easter special, we are discussing the man that has shaped your idea of the last supper, my main man, Leonardo DaVinci. While technically or biblically speaking the last supper falls on Good Friday (I think) we still want to talk about this iconic piece of art. I'm unashamedly obsessed with Leonardo DaVinci, he was a man ahead of his time. It is his wittiness and fearlessness that sparked my interest in renaissance art and art history, especially after reading 'The DaVinci Code' by Dan Brown (p.s. if you haven't read this book what are you doing with your life, at least watch the movie, but the book is better okay I'm done). So shall we get right into it, oh and possible The DaVinci Code spoilers ahead:

The Last Supper, 1495-1498, tempera on gesso, pitch, and mastic. Leonardo Davinci. Currently located atSanta Maria delle Grazie, Milan.

Okay so let's discuss this, the significance of the Last Supper. As the name implies it was the last supper before Jesus was gonna be crucified, you know when Judas would kiss him and tha po-po was gonna pick him up and take him out. Obviously, the rest of the disciples didn't know this so it was Jesus' opportunity to give them a sort of farewell and be good to church. So they drank wine and broke bread to commemorate the Passover (oh btw it was the feast of the Passover, it's a Jewish celebration, look it up). In the account of the Bible, there was only one cup (chalice) which Jesus anointed as the cup with his blood and which he passed around to his disciples to drink from (but when you read the passage(s) it's definitely open to interpretation), and here's where controversy 1 comes in and how DaVinci put you on an easter egg hunt and you didn't even know it:

1) In DaVinci's painting, everyone has a cup: why you ask? This will lead me to 2. But first, let's focus on 1. In other painter's accounts of the Last Supper, there is only 1 chalice. Like this renaissance painter, Vicente Juan Masip aka 'Joan De Joanes' painting of the last supper there's only one.  

The Last Supper (h. 1562), The first Eucharist, depicted by Juan de Juanes, mid-late 16th century, Museo del Prado

But with my boy DaVinci there's quite a few cups on the table, take a closer look:

Here's a crop of the painting focusing on the table and as you can see errbody got a cup. So why did he do this you ask again? Okay, I'll tell you.

2) Let's just recap a few facts about my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: 

• He had 12 disciples
• They were all male
• He was unmarried 

All true according to the Bible but what did DaVinci think? He thought not that's what he thought. Another closer observation shall we?

So who is this soft-faced, red-haired individual next to Christ, surely it couldn't be a woman but it kinda does look like a woman doesn't it? Well because it is. DaVinci believed that Jesus actually left the church in the hands of a woman *gasp*, his wife *gasp* and mother of his child to be *gasp* who also happens to be Mary Magdalene *pass out*. Sooooo the blood of Christ that is actually supposed to be in the Chalice is actually in Mary Magdalene as she's carrying his baby which is why there's multiple cups rather than 1 because Mary Magdalene is the true chalice. This is all based on the DaVinci code btw there's a lot more mindblowing stuff so I recommend it. 

Anyway, I'm not tryna blaspheme on Easter Sunday but apart from being super problematic and controversial, this painting has become iconic in pop culture and there have been endless recreations of it and just for the goddam culture here are some of my fav, latest recreations of it by two of my fav rappers. 

Stormzy's Gang Signs and Prayers Album cover. 

Kendrick Lamar's Music Video for 'Humble'.

I hope you've enjoyed reading it and have a great Easter Sunday be back next Sunday :* Also check me on any biblical facts if I'm wrong I've forgotten everything I learnt from Sunday school xx

A few days ago, Eme and I lost someone who was truly a phenomenal person with a big fat golden heart. And we will miss her forever and ever. She also loved The Lord very dearly and was an advocate of his glory so Rest In Peace, Perfection and Paradise Kika, loving you and remembering you each day. We also send love and prayers to her family and close friends and wish them strength in such a tough time. <3

Happy Easter again everyone!