Bartholomew
In Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” Bartholomew is positioned at the far left end of the table, standing and leaning forward with both hands pressed flat on the surface. His posture and expression convey a sense of shock and disbelief in response to Jesus’s announcement of impending betrayal. This depiction aligns with the concept of “moti dell’anima,” or movements of the soul, illustrating the apostles’ varied emotional reactions to the revelation (discoveringdavinci.com).
Traditionally, Bartholomew is identified as Nathanael in the Gospel of John, where he is described as an “Israelite indeed” (John 1:47). He is often depicted with dark hair and a beard, resembling Matthew. In the Synoptic Gospels, Bartholomew is consistently listed alongside Philip, suggesting a close association between the two (biblicaltraining.org). Despite his inclusion among the Twelve Apostles, Bartholomew’s individual actions and personality traits are not extensively detailed in the biblical texts. This has led to various traditions and legends about his missionary work and martyrdom, though these accounts are not universally accepted.
