The Dinner at Bethany COLLECTION (M 055)

Painted in 1503 by an anonymous Middle Rhenish artist, this panel depicts the dinner mentioned in John 12:1-3 that took place in Bethany after the raising of Lazarus and just before Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. As such, the mood is celebratory--merrier and less somber than that of the Last Supper that took place the following Thursday (Maundy Thursday). It is the central panel of the triptych altarpiece that graces the Martha altar of the southern choir of the Church of Our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche) at Oberwesel, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. + Here, Jesus and His Twelve Apostles are seated at a round table, presumably one of several in the room since the Gospel alludes to the presence of more attendees including Lazarus. The table is viewed atilt, the better to see the tableware and foodstuffs. The Apostles converse among themselves. One (St. Bartholomew?) slices bread. In the center foreground, St. Martha, wearing an apron and carrying a platter of fish, serves (as St. John so succinctly puts it). Meanwhile, St. Mary, erroneously identified at the time the altarpiece was painted with the penitent Magdalene and a nameless sinful woman, kneels opposite. Both women wear gowns of sumptuous materials. Between them kneels the donor, Canon Peter Luteran, who is represented on a greatly reduced scale. The crowded scene brims with energy and the implied noise of animated conversations and rattling crockery. + See also the St. Martha items—aprons, oven mitts, potholders, and serving trays--from our Apron Saints series (q.v.) to mix and match!