Bon voyage down the bistro
There seems to be some dispute as to whether this painting of the Last Supper is actually by Santo Peranda (1566-1638), also known as Sante and, according to other sources, Santa (not kidding).
Evidently the much busier Palma Giovane (1548?-1628) is another suspect, but this “Ultima Cena” was being auctioned off in Peranda’s name in Milan recently, for around €35,000.
Regardless of who’s responsible, it’s certainly not the way we’re accustomed to seeing Jesus’ going-away party.
Here the banquet is transported to a rather lively Italian restaurant that lets dogs and cats loaf about. And two of the apostles appear to be having a secret tipple directly opposite the boss.
Mannerism takes its liberties, but you wonder what Leonardo must have thought of this. He was working just down the road at the time.
