What are the renaissance types in painting such as John the apostle (student type) in the Last Supper?

Question

I saw a tv show on the Da Vinci Code that explained why John the Apostle looked like a woman such as Mary Magdalene. He was a type called the Student, typically beardless and young. (This is in his painting The Last Supper). I would like to know what the other types are in Renaissance painting.

Answer 1

This was simply the traditional way of portraying that particular disciple at the time. If you see paintings of St Jerome he will be either at study or in the wilderness. Usually portrayed as a craggy old man. St John will be portrayed with a staff or a reed cross, Mary Magdalene with an ointment jar, St Catherine with a wheel. This typecasting and symbolism was present and known to the artist's contemporaries. It was just a way they represented the subjects at the time so that people would instantly recognize them and also keep their traditional patrons, the church, happy.

Answer 2

ok,first,the e book will strengthen some stable factors that would or is probably no longer precise.That has no longer something to do with the portray,particularly.Da Vinci painted it.this is a woman sitting next to Jesus.it rather is obvious.i think of there is yet another woman,even though it rather is not as clean because of the fact the 1st one.Da Vinci become no longer THERE,he purely painted it how he concept it would be.this is a woman,it does not instruct something.i assumed the e book become very stable,and that's achievable that Jesus and Mary had a baby mutually.Who cares?He become stated as the Son of guy,too.i'd think of Christians would be leaping up and down on the prospect that their liked would have had offspring,and somebody with a sprint of divinity is strolling the Earth.If I have been a Christian,i'd be delighted.purely keep in mind that we don't understand,and Da Vinci would have purely had a competent humorousness.look into a number of his different artwork.

Answer 3

Personally, I think the explanation we were given in that show was total BS. I'm sorry, but a painter that great could certainly have made John look like a young man if her were actually painting John. It's just another case of making the explanation fit the orthodox belief.