Here we have one of the oldest examples of the little-known art of paparazzi
portraiture, where an artist would spy on a high-class social gathering,
make quick sketches of the event and the people present, later putting
these together in their studio to create a finished piece of celebrity
painted-journalism.
Although most of these pieces come from the Renaissance period, a few
have been discovered that date much farther back that that. This painting,
for example, has been carbon-dated to approximately 2~3 BC, and is believed
to show Jesus and his disciples at one of their notorious "supper parties."
Despite their innocuous name, these "supper parties" were often raucous
affairs that lasted well into the early morning, fueled by Jesus' well-documented
water-to-wine abilities, as well as a steady stream of both frankincense
and myrrh from Jesus' drug connections in the Orient. Often, the night
would end in an orgiastic fury, involving prostitutes, jars of oil, and
tongues of flame. Despite these debaucheries, Jesus and his disciples
managed to keep up a relatively good image with their charitable works,
miraculous healings, and other general public services.
They managed to, that is, until their highly exclusive, highly lavish,
and highly notorious, "Last Supper". This "party to end all parties"
caused such anger amongst the conservative Sanhedrin, and such jealousy
amongst Jerusalem's other powerful elite (for not having been invited),
that it is believed to have motivated the people to free Barabbas over
Jesus, and therefore to have been the main cause of Jesus' eventual crucifixion.
A last supper indeed…
(Incidentally, it is believed
that Pontius Pilate was one of the few people from outside of Jesus' inner
circle to have been invited to the "Last Supper". This would explain both
his immediate affinity towards Jesus during the trial, as well as his
wash-my-hands-of-the-matter attitude afterwards. Had his name been connected
to these parties in anyway, he would have lost his position as Roman governor
and most likely have been put to death.)
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