The bronze relief “Holy Meal” by Joseph Krautwald depicts one of the central scenes of the Christian faith. Inspired by the Last Supper, the work reflects the timeless meaning of bread as a symbol of community, remembrance, and devotion.

The wall relief “Holy Meal” by German sculptor Joseph Krautwald (1914–2003) is a striking artistic interpretation of one of the most significant moments in Christian tradition: the Last Supper of Jesus Christ.

This event is commemorated each year on Maundy Thursday. At its core is the shared meal between Jesus and his disciples, during which he broke bread and shared wine, giving them profound symbolic meaning:

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’”
(Luke 22:19–20)

To this day, the breaking of bread remains a central element of the Eucharist, symbolizing community, remembrance, and the devotion of Christ. At the same time, this powerful motif has inspired artists across centuries to reinterpret and bring the scene to life in diverse artistic forms.

Joseph Krautwald also drew inspiration from this theme, capturing it in a finely crafted bronze relief. His work combines religious symbolism with artistic expression, making the enduring meaning of the “Holy Meal” visible.

The relief stands as an example of the deep connection between bread, culture, and spirituality—core themes that can be experienced in many ways at the PANEUM – Wunderkammer des Brotes.