**First Time At Auction**
Western Europe, Italy, ca. 1816 CE. Signed "Putinati F. / 1818" in lower left corner. After Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper." A splendid lead relief plaque of rectangular form by the Milanese sculptor and medalist Francesco Putinati (1775 to 1848 CE) and designed after Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting of "The Last Supper." Rendered with fine detail, the marvelous plaque shows the well-known mural from Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan featuring Christ with outstretched hands at the center of his 12 disciples. The bottom of the plaque is inscribed with the statement Christ has just said from Matthew 26:21 of the New Testament of the Bible: "AMEN DICO VOBIS QUIA UNUS VESTRUM ME TRADITURUS EST," which translates to "Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." The scripture is credited in the lower right corner, where the plaque reads "MATT.C.XXVI." The group is seated at a long table, positioned parallel and close to the picture plane in a coffered room; a relatively simple setting serving to emphasize the dramatic plot. Brilliantly, Jesus is both the psychological cornerstone and the focal point of the converging perspective lines. He is portrayed in a perfectly calm and tranquil manner despite his foreboding announcement. Meanwhile, the disciples, presented in four groups, display all matter of commotion with agitated gestures and expressions. Most significantly, we see Judas, the third figure to Jesus' right, clutching a money bag in his right hand and gesturing forward with his left hand. Size: 5.625" W x 3.375" H (14.3 cm x 8.6 cm)
The Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University possesses 3 plaster casts by Francesco Putinati of Leonardo's "Last Supper", though much smaller scale than this example, under accession numbers 1910.12.1.2, 1910.12.2.54, and 1929.336.74.
Provenance: ex-Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA acquired before 2000
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#158370
Condition
Some indentations to peripheries with bending to lower left corner. Some nicks and softening of detail. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice patina.