Coimbra, Portugal - Museu Machado de Castro - terracotta sculpture of the last supper - the Apostle Peter and ??? in the background
These sculptures formed part of a group of The Last Supper that was executed in terracotta for the wealthy and prominent Monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra around the year 1530 by a shadowy French sculptor who was perhaps known as "Odarte" by the Portuguese, but whose real name may have been Hodart Vyryo. At some point, the sculptures were broken up, and were only rediscovered around 1878.
The museum has reassembled them to the degree possible. Not all of the figures can be identified with certainty. Still, it was a striking ensemble, and well-displayed by this excellent museum, which is well worth your time if you enjoy medieval and Renaissance art and sculpture and are visiting Coimbra. I spent a couple of hours there and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Coimbra, Portugal - Museu Machado de Castro - terracotta sculpture of the last supper - the Apostle Peter and ??? in the background
These sculptures formed part of a group of The Last Supper that was executed in terracotta for the wealthy and prominent Monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra around the year 1530 by a shadowy French sculptor who was perhaps known as "Odarte" by the Portuguese, but whose real name may have been Hodart Vyryo. At some point, the sculptures were broken up, and were only rediscovered around 1878.
The museum has reassembled them to the degree possible. Not all of the figures can be identified with certainty. Still, it was a striking ensemble, and well-displayed by this excellent museum, which is well worth your time if you enjoy medieval and Renaissance art and sculpture and are visiting Coimbra. I spent a couple of hours there and thoroughly enjoyed it.