Lena Rivera
The Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci between 1494 and 1498, is considered one of the most important artworks in history. The painting has suffered damage over the centuries due to various factors, including the experimental technique used by da Vinci, environmental factors, and intentional damage. Despite numerous restoration attempts, including the most recent one in 1999, little of the original painting remains today. Does the original Last Supper painting still exist?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Leonardo da Vinci |
| Year | c. 1495–1498 |
| Medium | Tempera and oil paint on dry wall |
| Location | Wall of the dining room of the former Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy |
| Restoration | Yes, the most recent restoration was completed in 1999 |
| Copies | Yes, multiple copies exist, including those by Giampietrino, Andrea Solari, Cesare da Sesto, and others |
| Condition | The original has deteriorated due to experimental techniques, environmental factors, intentional damage, and the dampness of the wall on which it was painted |
| UNESCO Status | The painting, along with the church and monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 |
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What You'll Learn
The original has deteriorated
The original version of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" has deteriorated badly over the centuries. The painting was created between 1494 and 1498, and even before its completion, there were issues with paint flaking from the wall, which Leonardo had to repair.
The experimental technique of painting on a dry wall with tempera and oil paint, instead of the traditional fresco method, is a key reason for the deterioration. The dampness of the wall also contributed to the damage. As a result, the painting has crumbled and been subjected to vandalism and bombing over the years.
Restoration attempts have been made, with the most recent one completed in 1999. This restoration used scientific methods to restore the original colours as closely as possible and to remove traces of paint from previous restoration attempts. However, critics argue that very little of Leonardo's original work remains today.
Despite the restoration efforts, the painting remains fragile. Visitors are allowed to view the mural in small groups for 15 minutes to slow down its deterioration.
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Restoration attempts
The Last Supper, painted between 1494 and 1498, is considered perhaps the most important mural painting in the world. However, due to the methods used to create it, environmental factors, and intentional damage, little of the original painting remains today despite numerous restoration attempts, the last being completed in 1999.
The painting was executed not in traditional fresco, but in tempera and oil paint on a dry wall. This experimental technique, coupled with the dampness of the wall on which it was painted, caused the paint to begin to break loose from the base coat as early as 1517. As a result, the painting has suffered changes in temperature, moisture, and humidity more than most frescoes.
During the French Revolutionary War, Napoleon's troops used the wall of the refectory to practice target shooting, and during World War II, bombings in 1943 tore off the roof of the old Dominican dining room, leaving the painting exposed to the elements for several years.
The most recent restoration, completed in 1999, used several scientific methods to restore the original colours as closely as possible and to eliminate traces of paint applied in previous restoration attempts. This restoration took 21 years, and when the painting was returned to display on 28 May 1999, it aroused considerable controversy due to the dramatic changes in colours, tones, and even some facial shapes.
Critics such as James Beck, Professor of Art History at Columbia University, have argued that very little of Leonardo's original work remains, with the painting being only 20% Leonardo and 60% the work of the restorer. Others, however, have commended the recovery of details such as the Apostles' expressions and the food on the table.
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It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. The painting is a mural that covers an end wall of the dining hall at the monastery. It is considered one of the world's most recognizable paintings and is among Leonardo's most celebrated works. The painting is renowned for its handling of space, mastery of perspective, treatment of motion, and complex display of human emotion.
Due to the methods used by Leonardo, environmental factors, and intentional damage, the original painting has deteriorated significantly over time, and little of the original work remains today despite numerous restoration attempts. The painting was last restored in 1999, and the restored version has been the subject of some criticism. Despite the restoration efforts, the painting remains fragile, and visitors are allowed only 15 minutes to view the mural in small groups to slow its deterioration.
The Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, including The Last Supper, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. It is recognized as "a unique artistic achievement of exceptional universal value that transcends all historical contingencies." The site is under the protection of Italian law on cultural patrimony, and any interventions or conservation efforts must be authorized by the local offices of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism.
The UNESCO World Heritage listing recognizes the complex's architectural and artistic significance, including the influence of The Last Supper on the development of painting and its iconic status. The listing also acknowledges the continuous restoration and conservation efforts required to preserve the site and its surrounding areas. The room where The Last Supper is located is now a museum cared for by the State administration.
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Copies of the painting
Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" is widely considered one of the world's most famous artworks. However, the original painting has deteriorated badly over the years due to the experimental technique used and the dampness of the wall it was painted on. As a result, several copies of the painting have been created over the years, some of which are still preserved and displayed in various locations.
One early copy, possibly painted around 1520 or even earlier in 1515, is almost the same size as the original but lacks the top third of Leonardo's composition. This copy was attributed to Marco d'Oggiono (c.1467-1524) and was later owned by a Carthusian monastery in Pavia, Italy, until it was sold in 1793. It was then exhibited at the Brera Academy in Milan before being sold to England in 1817, where it was purchased by the Royal Academy of Arts in London in 1821.
Another copy, created by Giampietrino, a pupil of Leonardo, is also housed in the collection of the Royal Academy of Arts in London. This full-scale copy was a primary source for the 1978-1998 restoration of the original and includes several lost details, such as Christ's feet and the salt cellar spilled by Judas.
A third copy, attributed to Cesare da Sesto, is installed at the Church of St. Ambrogio in Ponte Capriasca, Switzerland. This copy is one of the two early copies known to exist and was presumed to be the work of Leonardo's assistants.
Additionally, a 16th-century oil-on-canvas copy is conserved in the Abbey of Tongerlo in Antwerp, Belgium. This copy is believed to have been painted by Andrea Solari around 1520 and includes details no longer visible in the original.
Another life-sized copy was created by the Roman mosaic artist Giacomo Raffaelli between 1809 and 1814, commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte. This copy currently resides in the Minoritenkirche in Vienna.
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The painting's location
The Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is considered one of the most important artworks in history. The mural painting, completed between 1494 and 1498, is housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. The painting is located in the dining hall of the former Dominican convent, specifically on the end wall of the hall. The monastery is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, declared in September 1980, and is considered a "unique artistic achievement" and "an exceptional universal value that transcends all historical contingencies".
The painting has endured a tumultuous history, having been used for target practice by Napoleon's troops during the French Revolutionary War and bombed during World War II, which left the painting exposed to the elements for several years. Despite numerous restoration attempts, the original work has deteriorated significantly over the centuries due to environmental factors, intentional damage, and the experimental technique used by da Vinci.
The Last Supper's location within the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie is a testament to its historical and artistic significance. The refectory, where the painting is housed, was a space where nuns and monks could dine in the presence of Jesus' final repast, making it a sacred site for Christians.
Today, visitors can still view The Last Supper, but measures have been implemented to protect the painting from further deterioration. Visitor entry is restricted to small groups of up to 35 people at a time, and each group is allowed a viewing time of 15 minutes. These precautions aim to preserve this delicate masterpiece for future generations to appreciate and study.
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Frequently asked questions
The original painting has deteriorated badly over time due to various reasons, including damage during the French Revolutionary War, bombing during World War II, and an ill-suited painting technique. However, the painting has undergone several restorations, with the most recent one completed in 1999.
The original painting is located on the wall of the dining room of the former Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy.
The Last Supper was painted by Leonardo da Vinci between 1494/1495 and 1498.
The painting measures 4.60 meters high and 8.80 meters wide, making it Leonardo's largest work after the Sala delle Asse.
Yes, there are several copies of the original painting. Two early, exact copies, likely created by Leonardo's assistants, can be found in the collection of the Royal Academy of Arts in London and the Church of St. Ambrogio in Ponte Capriasca, Switzerland. Other copies are located in Belgium, Vienna, and the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
