A stellar cast of British acting talent have teamed up to re-create Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper for the National Portrait Gallery.

A cast of British acting talent who have teamed up to re-create Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper Photo: Alistair Morrison / National Portrait Gallery

Among the names who posed for the photograph are Robert Powell, who famously played the title role in the TV mini-series Jesus of Nazareth, Julie Walters, Sir Michael Gambon and Steven Berkoff.

(Left to right) John Alderton, Sir Richard Eyre, Steven Berkoff, Tim Pigott-Smith, Sir Antony Sher and Julie Walters

Photographer Alistair Morrison said: "My first two choices were Robert Powell who had to be Jesus, recreating the famous role played in Franco Zeffirelli's Jesus of Nazareth, and Julie Walters, who was asked to play Mary Magdalene (there has been speculation about whether it was Mary Magdalene or John the Apostle who was seated next to Jesus) and they both readily agreed. Their enthusiasm and influence helped to bring together this outstanding group of actors."

Robert Powell, Colin Firth, Tom Conti and Sir Michael Gambon

The photograph is inspired by Da Vinci's original 15th-century work which depicts the moment when Jesus tells his disciples that one of them will betray him.

Prints of the photograph, called Actors' Last Supper, will be sold at the central London gallery's new prints sales section, with prices ranging from £12,375 for a limited edition work to a postcard for £2.99.

Simon Callow, Peter Eyre and Anthony Andrews

Other portraits on sale include photographs of stars including Kate Moss, Bob Dylan and David Bowie, with 10% of proceeds going to the gallery's portrait fund which pays for new work to be added to the collection.

 

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