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The Last Supper: Cycling Legends - a hommage to Leonardo Da Vinci and some of the sport's biggest names

Peter Sagan as Jesus Christ and Lance Armstrong as Judas Iscariot feature in David Law's reference-packed work...

Peter Sagan as Jesus Christ and Lance Armstrong in place of Judas Iscariot? That is just part of a re-imagining of Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper.

David Law, who owns the Woking-based cycle clothing business Hommage au Vélo, was inspired, in his words, “to create something unique, never done, and based on a masterpiece” under his brand.

The result is a re-working of the 15th century mural painting that is packed full of references to cycling plus the odd in-joke, and is the fruit of six months' work.

David, who is working on a guide that will highlight all those references, told us: “The Last Supper by Da Vinci was a clear favourite, because  lots of people consider cycling to be their religion, or participate with a religious-like zeal (we all know about Flanders on an Easter Sunday, Alpe d'Huez during the Tour, etc).

“So I wanted the piece to articulate this religious zeal, and I wanted to create a piece with a whole cross-section of the most iconic riders of the last 20 years (since I started road racing in 1998 etc, was on Dave Rayner Fund in France for 4 years). So these riders were influential in my own experience of cycling when growing up.”

He continued: “Every single item in the painting is deliberate and laced with reference, from the jerseys on the wall to the trophies to the magazines being read, to the choice of jersey for each rider, etc – even the scene outside is of Mont Ventoux.”

As for choosing Sagan to take the place of Christ, he explained: “Enough said. A modern icon.” And the selection of Armstrong in the seat occupied by Judas in the original likewise speaks for itself.

“The groupings should be obvious,” David continued. “GC guys of the early 2000s together, Froome vs Contador together, Sprinters together (Mario Cipollini reading Playboy), Classics guys together ... Wiggo looking up to Boonen because we all know he would rather have been a Classics guy if he had had the choice.

“And he's diametrically opposite Froome in the painting because they hate each other, looking in opposite directions. Museeuw trying to calm down Boonen, because we all know Tom liked a bit of Champagne and ... anyway.”

Fabian Cancellara, meanwhile, is depicted studying a guide to mechanical engineering, although David points out, “Nobody seriously believes Cancellara had an engine in his bike – that detail in the painting is poking fun at the flat earthers who spread those rumours, not poking fun at Cancellara.

“It's almost an ode or a homage to the most iconic cyclists of the last 20 years,” he said. “And my brand name after all is  Hommage au Vélo.”

The original, which is 120 x 90cm, is currently on view at the Musette Café in Aldbury, Hertfordshire as part of its Cycling Art Fair. Framed and mounted prints, which David says are guaranteed to “be a massive talking point in your house,” will cost between £200 and £250 dependent on size.

An unframed 60 x 30cm print meanwhile is £75 through the Hommage au Vélo website.  

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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11 comments

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matthewn5 | 5 years ago
0 likes

Hmmmm. Apart from the table, the composition has nothing to do with Da Vinci. C- from this art critic.

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ktache | 5 years ago
1 like

Now that is an exceptional squirrel related post.

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hawkinspeter replied to ktache | 5 years ago
2 likes

ktache wrote:

Now that is an exceptional squirrel related post.

Thanks. I'm going to lampshade it by pointing out that there aren't 13 squirrels at the table. Maybe I should have gone with:

Jesus *looking over the bill*: Why would anyone order wine?

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
4 likes

Table for 26 please

 

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lesterama | 5 years ago
6 likes

He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy.

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Miller | 5 years ago
1 like

Thanks. And the Giro trophy is there because all three of Nibs, Froome and Contador have won it...

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Miller | 5 years ago
0 likes

Who's that on extreme left?

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atlaz replied to Miller | 5 years ago
0 likes

Miller wrote:

Who's that on extreme left?

 

Landa in Movistar kit? Seems an odd one if so. Or maybe Fuglsang. Equally odd though.

Or... Nibali? Makes a lot more sense to be with the contemporary GC guys

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The Claw replied to atlaz | 5 years ago
0 likes

atlaz wrote:

Miller wrote:

Who's that on extreme left?

 

Landa in Movistar kit? Seems an odd one if so. Or maybe Fuglsang. Equally odd though.

Or... Nibali? Makes a lot more sense to be with the contemporary GC guys

 

It is indeed Nibali in his Astana kit - the full high-res file makes it a bit easier to discern  1

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simonmb replied to Miller | 5 years ago
0 likes

Who's that on extreme left?

 

Jeremy Corbyn usually.

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peted76 | 5 years ago
2 likes

Well that's a bit mental isnt' it. 

 

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