Max Schmalzl (1850–1930) was a German Redemptorist lay brother who worked as a painter and illustrator. He lived a monastic lifestyle, devoting himself to the making of Catholic art. This Last Supper is for a Missale published in 1923. Out of modesty, he normally didn’t sign his works but occasionally would put the initials F.M.S. on them, which stood for Frater Max Schmalzl.

He was the fulfillment of an ecclesiastical art movement called the Nazarene school, and he lived its ideal of a humble, pious, and industrious painter-monk. Despite his monasticism, he was very famous during his lifetime. Even to this day, his woodcuts and illustrations are frequently used in Catholic printing, although no one knows they are his as his fame has left the earth.

He left behind many masterpieces, and this is one of our favorites. In this one, we have such a carefully crafted balance of images. All the figures are done with such precision. Above the main image is Melchizedek, and below it is the Passover. We love this picture. We would have included it in our collection sooner, but it took us a year to be sure it was no longer in copyright.

We have restored the colors and vividness towards the original beauty. We print it on special art paper with archival quality pigments, rated to last for many generations without fading when kept out of the direct sun.

Standard size. Easy to find a ready-made frame at your local Hobby Lobby. We recommend a wooden frame for this one, either stained or one of the colors in the painting that match your walls.

– 8.5 x 11" acid-free paper
– Archival pigments, rated to last for generations.
– Cardboard backer
– Above story of the art
– Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag.

** IMPORTANT ** There is about an inch-and-a-third of white space around the picture, so the image is smaller than the paper.

Thanks!
Sue & John