FRESCO: THE LAST SUPPER

Located on the southern wall of the cupola base just above the choir, the Last Supper is the only surviving composition from a reconstructive painting effort that took place centuries after the original one, though its exact period is in dispute. One thesis on stylistic grounds considers this work of the renowned master Longin, whose school emanated from the restored Pec Patriarchate around 1568. The other possibility is that the work dates to shortly after the 1657 embassy of the Mileseva brotherhood to Russian czar Alexei Mikhailovich, who donated 300 rubles for a thorough monastery repainting. Multiple areas of damage reveal details of the older underpainting, whose exact size and state are not exactly known, though iconographic elements clearly suggest a depiction of Christ’s descent into Hell.

Urgently needed is the complete removal of the whole fresco, in maximally intact shape, for off-site processing. This is to be followed by structurally securing of its backside, the creation of a new base (for adhesion of the fresco), and final presentation for on or off-site exhibit. This would simultaneously reveal the remaining portions of the older Christ’s descent into Hell composition in its original setting. This fresco will also require additional cleaning and conservation.