Historic ‘Last Supper’ painting survives time and cathedral collapse in Alappuzha

Alappuzha: For nearly a century, devotees at Mount Carmel Cathedral in Alappuzha have been spellbound by the monumental oil painting of Christ’s Last Supper towering above the altar. Created in 1933 by Malayali artist A T John Arasseril, the masterpiece has withstood the ravages of time and even the collapse of the old cathedral, continuing to inspire awe to this day.

Titled The Last Supper, the oil painting was created by Malayali artist A T John Arasseril and installed in the cathedral in 1933, when the church, originally built in 1809, was part of the Kochi diocese. Measuring 40 feet long and 14 feet wide, it even surpasses Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic rendition of the same scene in size.

A T John’s passion for art began at a young age in his native village, Chennaveli near Arthungal. He honed his skills at the Madras Fine Arts College and later returned home to serve as an art faculty member at Alappuzha SDV School, and also worked as an artist and designer at SD College. During this period, he produced numerous oil and water paintings, many of which still grace the walls of several schools and places of worship across the region.

Considered his masterpiece, The Last Supper was installed in the cathedral on September 6, 1933, and even when the original cathedral collapsed in 1994, the historic painting and altar survived intact. Upon completion of the new cathedral, the painting was restored above the altar.