James the Lesser
In Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” James the Lesser is positioned immediately to the right of Bartholomew, forming part of the group that includes Bartholomew, James the Lesser, and Andrew (leonardodavincisinventions.com). He is depicted as a young man with a youthful appearance, characterized by his delicate features and a slight beard, which distinguishes him from the other apostles. His posture is attentive, with his hands placed on the table, suggesting a contemplative response to Jesus’s announcement of betrayal.
The identification of James the Lesser in the painting is based on Leonardo’s notes, which specify the names of each individual (tvtropes.org). In Christian texts, James the Lesser is often associated with James, son of Alphaeus, and is sometimes referred to as James the Just. However, details about his life and actions are scarce, leading to various traditions and legends about his role in the early Church.
