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The Table 14 x 36" , watercolor on paper.
This piece is one of my most difficult paintings. I think I re-painted it four times including a complete change of color scheme and cropping the length twice. But, I kept going. It was important to me. It is in remembrance of The Lord’s Supper, Jesus’ Farewell Dinner, and was inspired by that account from all the gospels. 1,2,3
I did this piece in the spirit of a modern day paraphrase, personalizing it, imagining myself setting the table in preparation for dinner with friends in my home. How would I prepare and serve The Table for a farewell dinner today? I saw contrasts: instead of a chalice of wine which was the accepted beverage and more plentiful in the New Testament, I would substitute water, the most available beverage today. And, I would choose a glass from my cupboard. Symbolically, water is also referencing Jesus as the Living Water who quenches all my thirst. 4 The cups are contemporary “earthen vessels”. Today it is not culturally or hygienically correct for everyone to drink from the same vessel as it was then. Because of disease and our individualism, we probably would be offended to sip from the same cup as everyone else. So, there are 12 separate cups representing one for each disciple. The isolated cup speaks of the betrayer who left early.
This is also the most minimal color scheme I have used. The simplification of color emphasizes the impending death of Christ (red) and the royalty of His Kingship (purple). The final emphasis is the light. This still life was set up on a table in front of a window so all the vessels are back-lit. Leaving the white of my paper, I kept the glass mostly unpainted and lifted out paint on the table so the light spills over the cloth. I'm so glad I persevered to finish this work because in presenting this piece, I do it in remembrance of Christ who was willing to give His life for mine.
1 Matthew 26:17-19 2 Mark 14:12-25 3 Luke 22:7-21 4 John 4:10
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