The Last Supper painting, created by Leonardo da Vinci, has been a subject of much debate and speculation over the years. One of the most intriguing questions is the identity of the figure seated to the right of Jesus, often referred to as the “woman” in the painting.
Many art historians and scholars believe that this figure is actually John the Apostle, who is traditionally depicted as a young, beardless man with long hair. In Renaissance art, it was common to portray young men with delicate, almost feminine features. This has led to the misconception that the figure is a woman.
However, some theories suggest that the figure could represent Mary Magdalene. This idea gained popularity with the release of Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code, which proposed that Mary Magdalene was present at the Last Supper and that she had a special relationship with Jesus. Despite the intrigue surrounding this theory, there is no historical or artistic evidence to support the claim that Mary Magdalene is depicted in the painting.
In conclusion, the figure in question is most likely John the Apostle, as supported by traditional interpretations and historical context. The idea that it is a woman, particularly Mary Magdalene, remains a topic of speculation without concrete evidence.