Elena Rossi
The Last Supper is a mural painting by Italian High Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, dated to c. 1495–1498. It depicts the final meal that Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, and the moment after he announces that one of them will betray him. The painting is housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy, and was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, as part of a plan of renovations to the church. Leonardo's work is renowned for its incredible attention to detail, its use of symmetry, and the way it captures the emotions of the characters in the scene.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Leonardo da Vinci |
| Year | c. 1495–1498 |
| Medium | Tempera on gesso, pitch, and mastic |
| Location | Refectory wall of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy |
| Dimensions | 4.60 meters high and 8.80 meters wide |
| Subject | The Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles, as told in the Gospel of John |
| Symbolism | The outstretched arms of Jesus symbolize his sacrifice for humanity; the bread and wine represent the body and blood of Christ |
| Composition | Horizontal layout with a central figure of Jesus and symmetrical arrangement of the Apostles |
| Technique | Linear perspective with a single vanishing point at Jesus' right temple; experimental pigments on dry plaster |
| Restoration | Restored several times, most recently in 1999 using scientific methods to restore original colors |
| Significance | One of the most famous and influential paintings in the world, considered a masterpiece for its composition, technique, and emotional depth |
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What You'll Learn
The painting's deterioration and restoration
The Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, has been subjected to centuries of conservation and restoration work, with varying degrees of success. The experimental techniques and materials used by da Vinci himself, such as applying tempera paint to a dry, sealed plaster wall, contributed to the painting's early deterioration. Even before it was finished, there were issues with the paint flaking from the wall, which da Vinci had to repair.
Over the centuries, the painting has been damaged by vandalism, flooding, mould, and bombing. In 1652, residents of the monastery cut a new doorway through the wall, removing a section of the painting that depicted Jesus's feet. Napoleon Bonaparte's soldiers later used the area as a stable, causing further damage. By 1847, an English writer commented that the painting "will never more be seen by the man... The greater part is perished forever."
In the 18th century, Giuseppe Mazza was hired to restore the painting. However, his methods, which included washing the wall with a sodium hydroxide solution, were detrimental and led to his dismissal. Other restorers, such as Michelangelo Bellotti, contributed to the deterioration by filling in cracked and peeling areas with new tempera paint and covering the work with a layer of oil.
The first recorded restoration attempt began in 1726, and more than six further attempts were made between 1700 and 1900. In 1908, Luigi Cavenaghi analysed the painting's chemical components, concluding that it was completed using tempera paint on two layers of plaster. Oreste Silvestri led a cleaning and conservation effort in 1924, applying new plaster to the edges of the painting.
In 1947, Mauro Pelliccioli was appointed to complete a radical cleaning of the painting, using techniques such as brushing shellac over the paint to rebind it to the wall. Between 1951 and 1954, Pelliccioli focused on reversing 18th-century restorations, revealing many of da Vinci's original details.
The most recent major restoration effort began in 1978, led by art restorer Pinin Brambilla Barcilon. This project aimed to protect the painting, restore da Vinci's original work, and strip away years of built-up dirt and grime. Pinin's work consisted of carefully cleaning the painting's surface and filling in lost parts. However, her work was not without controversy, as some argued that past restorations were an integral part of the painting's history.
Today, travellers can visit The Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, although with some restrictions in place to minimise damage to the painting.
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Leonardo's use of symmetry
Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper is a mural painting dated to c. 1495–1498. It 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 announces that one of his apostles will betray him before sunrise.
Leonardo da Vinci was well known for his love of symmetry, and this is reflected in his composition of The Last Supper. The layout of the painting is largely horizontal, with a large table in the foreground and all the figures positioned behind it. The painting is symmetrical, with the same number of figures on either side of Jesus, who is placed centrally. This centrality of Jesus is emphasised by the vanishing point of the painting's linear perspective, which is located at his right temple.
The symmetry of the composition is further enhanced by the placement of Judas, the betrayer, with the other disciples. This creates a sense of balance and unity within the group, with Jesus as the focal point.
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The absence of halos
The Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci between 1494 and 1498, is considered one of the most famous artworks in the world. It depicts the dramatic scene described in the Gospel of John, in which Jesus announces that one of his apostles will betray him.
Unlike other artists who have depicted the same scene, da Vinci chose not to include a halo above the figure of Jesus Christ. This absence of a halo has several possible explanations. Firstly, da Vinci was known for his love of symmetry, and treating Jesus as a common figure among the apostles may have contributed to the overall balance of the composition.
Some scholars propose that the light from the window behind Jesus serves as an alternative to a halo, with the implied lines of the pediment above the window creating the illusion of one. Others suggest that the absence of a halo emphasises Jesus' humanity, reminding viewers that he will endure the pain and suffering of the Passion.
Da Vinci's decision to omit the halo may also reflect his personal beliefs. Some art historians believe that da Vinci saw nature as God, and so he chose to represent Jesus without the traditional divine attributes.
The Last Supper is renowned for its incredible attention to detail, complex display of human emotion, and innovative use of perspective. The painting has been the subject of intense analysis and interpretation, with scholars debating the hidden messages and symbols within the work.
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Hidden details and symbols
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most iconic and well-recognized paintings in the world, depicting the final meal shared by Jesus and his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. While the painting is a masterful work of art in its own right, it also contains a number of hidden details and symbols that add to its depth and significance.
One of the most famous hidden details in The Last Supper is the use of perspective. Da Vinci used a single-point perspective, with the vanishing point located at the head of Jesus, emphasizing his central role in the scene. This perspective also creates the illusion of space and depth, drawing the viewer into the scene. The use of perspective was a revolutionary technique at the time, and Da Vinci's mastery of it is evident in this painting.
Another hidden detail can be found in the reactions and gestures of the disciples. Each disciple reacts differently to Jesus' announcement that one of them will betray him. For example, John, who is often identified as the disciple closest to Jesus, is depicted as shocked and distressed, leaning towards Jesus with his arms outstretched. In contrast, Peter, another disciple, is shown making an angry gesture, reaching for a knife and seemingly ready to defend Jesus. These varying reactions add a sense of drama and emotion to the scene.
The painting also contains symbolic elements that carry religious significance. For instance, the salt cellar in front of Judas, the disciple who betrays Jesus, symbolizes corruption and decay. Additionally, the bread on the table represents the body of Christ, foreshadowing the Eucharist, while the wine symbolizes his blood and the sacrifice he will make. The halo around Jesus' head is another symbolic element, signifying his holiness and divine nature.
The architectural setting of The Last Supper is also worth noting. Da Vinci painted the scene in a room with a vaulted ceiling, reminiscent of a tomb, which may symbolize the impending death and resurrection of Christ. The windows in the background are believed to represent the open arms of God, suggesting divine presence and protection.
Finally, the number of apostles depicted in the painting has been a subject of discussion. Traditionally, there were believed to be 12 apostles, yet da Vinci only painted 11 distinct individuals, excluding Judas Iscariot, who is usually identified as the apostle obscured in shadow, turning away from Jesus. This exclusion emphasizes the isolation and guilt associated with Judas' betrayal.
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The painting's legacy
The Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is considered one of the most iconic artworks in the world. It is renowned for its incredible attention to detail and its depiction of human emotions. The painting has been analysed and interpreted extensively, with scholars suggesting the presence of hidden messages and symbols. The artwork has also been the centre of interest for historians, researchers, and novelists, who seek to unravel the mysteries and enigmas surrounding it.
The Last Supper has also had a significant impact on the preservation and restoration of artworks. Due to the deterioration of the original painting, numerous restoration attempts have been made over the centuries to preserve it for future generations. The latest restoration, completed in 1999, employed scientific methods to restore the original colours and eliminate damage caused by environmental factors and human interference.
The painting has been a source of inspiration for other artists as well. There are several copies of the Last Supper, including one by Andrea Solari, housed in the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Belgium, and another by Cesare da Sesto, located in the Church of Saint Ambrogio in Switzerland.
The Last Supper, together with the church and the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. This recognition underscores the painting's exceptional universal value and its impact on the destiny of painting, solidifying its legacy in the history of art.
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Frequently asked questions
The Last Supper depicts the final meal Jesus Christ shared with his disciples before his crucifixion and the announcement that one of them would betray him. Leonardo da Vinci chose to forgo the customary halo on Jesus, perhaps to emphasise his humanity. The painting is rich in symbolism, with the bread and wine representing the body and blood of Christ.
The Last Supper is a mural painting, created using experimental pigments on a dry plaster wall. Leonardo did not use the traditional fresco technique, which involves painting on wet plaster. Instead, he used tempera, oil, and other materials on a sealed plaster wall. This allowed him to work slowly and make changes.
The original painting is located in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. It covers an entire end wall of the dining hall, measuring 4.6 metres by 8.8 metres.
Leonardo used linear perspective in The Last Supper, with the vanishing point at Jesus' right temple. This draws the viewer's attention to the central figure. The vantage point is about 4.57 metres above the ground, allowing viewers to see the figures and the table clearly.
The Last Supper was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan and Leonardo's patron. It was created between 1495 and 1498, during Leonardo's first extended stay in Milan. The painting is considered a masterpiece and one of the most iconic artworks in the world.
