Priya Kapoor
Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' is one of the world's most famous artworks and a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance art. The enormous mural painting, which measures 460 cm x 880 cm, depicts the dramatic scene of Jesus declaring that one of his twelve apostles will betray him. Da Vinci's innovative approach to the work, including his use of an unconventional mixed-media technique and his mastery of perspective, has made it one of the Western world's most recognisable paintings. However, his experimental techniques also contributed to the painting's deterioration over time, with records indicating that it had suffered considerable damage just a few years after its completion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painting technique | Tempera on gesso, pitch, and mastic; egg tempera and oil paint onto a ground of chalk bound with glue |
| Painting surface | Drywall/dry plaster |
| Painting size | 460 cm × 880 cm (15 ft x 1 in x 28 ft 10 in) |
| Painting location | North wall of the refectory in The Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy |
| Painting subject | The Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles |
| Painting style | Renaissance art |
| Painting date | c. 1495–1498 |
| Painting condition | Poor state of preservation; extensive restoration attempts |
| Painting copies | At least three known copies exist |
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What You'll Learn
- Da Vinci's chosen medium: a combination of egg tempera and oil paint on dry plaster
- The painting's location: the north wall of the refectory in the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan
- The subject matter: Jesus declaring that one of his apostles will betray him
- The painting's condition: deterioration began soon after completion, and it has since undergone several restorations
- The painting's legacy: it is considered a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance art and has influenced the development of art
Da Vinci's chosen medium: a combination of egg tempera and oil paint on dry plaster
Da Vinci's chosen medium for his masterpiece, The Last Supper, was a combination of egg tempera and oil paint on dry plaster. This technique, known as "a secco", was unconventional for mural painting at the time. Traditional fresco painting involves applying tempera to wet plaster, requiring the artist to work quickly before the plaster dries.
However, Da Vinci needed time to work on The Last Supper, as he often made changes and revisions to his compositions. By painting on dry plaster, he could develop the shading and make alterations as necessary over time. This method also allowed him to create intense tones and refined effects of light, enhancing the overall impact of the artwork.
Unfortunately, the unconventional medium proved unstable. The paint began to flake soon after the mural's completion, and by 1517, just about two decades later, the paint started to break loose from the base coat. The painting's location on a thin exterior wall exacerbated the issue, as it was susceptible to humidity and moisture retention, further contributing to the deterioration.
Despite the challenges posed by his chosen medium, Da Vinci's innovative approach to The Last Supper remains a testament to his genius and experimentation during the Italian Renaissance. The artwork, with its intricate details and lifelike depictions, continues to captivate audiences even in its partially faded state.
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The painting's location: the north wall of the refectory in the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. The convent, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was constructed in 1463 and reworked at the end of the 15th century by Bramante. The painting itself is located on the north wall of the refectory, a rectangular room partially covered in frescoes.
The refectory forms an integral part of the architectural complex, which includes the church and the convent. The complex was built from 1463 onwards by Guiniforte Solari, and the main parts of the convent were completed in 1469, while the church was finished in 1482. The church and convent were constructed at the site of a prior chapel dedicated to the Marian devotion of St Mary of the Graces. The main architect, Guiniforte Solari, designed the convent (the Gothic nave), and the construction of the church took decades.
The painting was commissioned in 1495 and completed in 1497 or early 1498. It is considered one of the world's masterpieces of painting and has had a significant influence on the development of figurative art. Due to the methods used by da Vinci, as well as environmental factors and intentional damage, little of the original painting remains today, despite numerous restoration attempts. The last major restoration work was completed in 1999, and measures are now in place to control the air quality and restrict the number of visitors to prevent further deterioration.
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The subject matter: Jesus declaring that one of his apostles will betray him
Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper is a mural painting dated to c. 1495–1498. It is housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. The painting depicts the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles, as told in the Gospel of John. Specifically, it captures the moment after Jesus declares that one of his apostles will betray him, a dramatic scene also described in Matthew 26:21–28.
In the painting, Jesus is positioned centrally at a long table with the apostles gathered around him. Da Vinci's depiction of Jesus differs from traditional representations, as he does not include a halo. Some scholars suggest that the light from the window behind Jesus serves as a halo, while others argue that its absence signifies Jesus' humanity and the suffering he will endure during the Passion.
The subject matter of Jesus' betrayal is central to the painting's emotional impact. Each apostle reacts differently to Jesus' declaration, with their individual expressions conveying a range of emotions. Judas, the betrayer, sits opposite Jesus, and his plate is notably empty. This detail, along with the specific foods depicted and the inclusion of leavened bread, has sparked various interpretations and hypotheses.
Da Vinci's Last Supper is renowned for its mastery of perspective and its complex portrayal of human emotion. The painting's composition is harmonious, with the apostles grouped in threes, reflecting the divine number. The central figure of Christ forms a triangular shape, creating a sense of isolation within the group and serving as the vanishing point of the painting.
The painting's impact on viewers is evident in Mary Shelley's description from her 1844 travel narrative, "Rambles in Germany and Italy":
> "Majesty and love – these are the words that would describe it – joined to an absence of all guile that expresses the divine nature more visibly than I ever saw it in any other picture."
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The painting's condition: deterioration began soon after completion, and it has since undergone several restorations
The Last Supper began deteriorating soon after its completion in 1498. The painting was done on a thin exterior wall, and the effects of humidity were felt keenly, causing the paint to not adhere properly. The first recorded restoration attempt was in 1726, when the members of the convent hired Michelangelo Bellotti, a painter, to work on the piece. After filling in the cracked and peeling areas with new tempera paint, Bellotti covered the work with a layer of oil. This led to most of the original paint being hidden under his restoration.
Giuseppe Mazza was hired in 1770 to restore and conserve The Last Supper. He attempted to remove Bellotti's additions by using an iron scraping tool and then filled in areas with an oil paint mixture and repainted the work. In 1821, Stefano Barezzi, convinced that The Last Supper was a conventional fresco, attempted to remove the work from the refectory wall. After realizing his mistake, he tried to glue the removed paint back onto the wall and added areas of coloured stucco.
In 1977, Pinin Brambilla Barcilon, a respected art restorer, was appointed to oversee a full restoration. During this restoration, steps were taken to carefully remove dirt and grime before starting to reverse past restoration attempts. The restoration team removed the numerous layers of shellac, paint, and oils using "solvent applied with tiny blotters of Japanese paper". Areas that were too damaged or unrecognizable were filled in with light watercolour paints. This restoration lasted for 21 years, until 1999.
After the 1999 restoration, measures were taken to prevent the painting from deteriorating further. The former refectory was converted into a climate-controlled, sealed room to help counteract environmental hazards. Air quality is carefully controlled in the refectory, and only small groups of visitors are allowed inside.
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The painting's legacy: it is considered a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance art and has influenced the development of art
The Last Supper is considered a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance art and has had a profound influence on the development of art. It is one of the most famous artworks in the world and has been the subject of much speculation and intrigue. The painting is a mural that covers an entire wall in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. The subject of the painting, Jesus's final meal with his disciples, was a popular choice for religious institutions in 15th-century Italy.
The painting is renowned for its handling of space, mastery of perspective, treatment of motion, and complex display of human emotion. Leonardo da Vinci's genius, curiosity, and experimental nature are all reflected in this work. He chose an unconventional method for the mural, painting on dry plaster with a combination of egg tempera and oil paint, which allowed him to work slowly and make changes. This technique, however, proved unstable, and the paint began to flake soon after completion.
The Last Supper has been the target of much damage and deterioration over the centuries. Napoleon's invading troops used the refectory as a stable, and a flood in the early 19th century caused mould growth. During World War II, an Allied bomb caused the roof and one wall of the refectory to collapse, exposing the painting to the elements for several months. Despite these challenges, the painting has endured and, following its last major restoration in 1999, measures have been implemented to control the environment and prevent further deterioration.
The legacy of The Last Supper lies not only in its influence on the development of art but also in its ability to withstand the test of time. It has been described as a "beautiful and marvellous thing" and continues to captivate and inspire viewers today. The painting has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognising its exceptional universal value and its impact on the destiny of painting.
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Frequently asked questions
Leonardo da Vinci painted The Last Supper between 1494/1495 and 1498.
The Last Supper is displayed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy.
Da Vinci chose to paint on dry plaster so that he could work slowly and make changes as he wished. The fresco technique of applying paint to wet plaster would not have allowed him to do this.
Da Vinci used a combination of egg tempera and oil paint onto a ground of chalk bound with glue.
The Last Supper is considered one of the most famous artworks in the world due to its handling of space, mastery of perspective, treatment of motion, and complex display of human emotion. It is also famous because of the many hypotheses, conspiracies, and myths surrounding the painting.
