Priya Kapoor
The Last Supper, completed by Leonardo da Vinci in the late 1490s, is one of the world's most famous artworks and a popular tourist attraction in Milan, Italy. The painting, which depicts Jesus' final meal with his Twelve Apostles, is housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Due to various factors, including environmental damage and intentional vandalism, little of da Vinci's original work remains today, despite numerous restoration attempts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Leonardo da Vinci |
| Year | c. 1495–1498 |
| Location | Refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy |
| Medium | Tempera on gesso, pitch, and mastic |
| Dimensions | 460 cm × 880 cm (15 ft 1 in × 28 ft 10 in) |
| Subject | The Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles |
| Inspiration | Gospel of John |
| Style | Italian High Renaissance |
| Current State | Poorly preserved, with little of the original painting remaining |
| Restoration History | Restored multiple times, with the last restoration completed in 1999 |
| Visitor Information | Tickets cost €12 and include a guided tour in English or Italian; reservations are recommended |
| Museum | Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano |
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What You'll Learn
- The painting is located in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy
- It is considered one of the world's most famous artworks and Italy's most visited sights
- The painting was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan
- It was painted on an exterior wall, which was susceptible to humidity and flaking
- The painting has deteriorated over time due to environmental factors and intentional damage
The painting is located in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy
The mural painting, The Last Supper, by the Italian High Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, is located in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. The painting, which dates back to c. 1495–1498, depicts the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles as told in the Gospel of John. It captures the moment after Jesus announces that one of his apostles will betray him.
The painting is housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, specifically on an end wall of the dining hall. The refectory is known for its unique features, such as the dark tapestries lining the walls and the three windows on the back wall that offer a view of the undulating landscape of Milan's countryside. The painting itself measures an impressive 460 cm × 880 cm (15 ft 1 in × 28 ft 10 in).
The location of the painting holds significance. The subject of the Last Supper was a popular choice for the walls of refectories in 15th-century Italy. This allowed nuns and monks to have their meals in the presence of Jesus' final repast. The painting's location within the refectory of the convent aligns with this tradition.
Over the years, the painting has endured various challenges and restorations. It suffered damage due to the steam and smoke from the monastery's kitchen, soot from the refectory's candles, and the dampness of the location. In 1652, a door was cut into the north wall, resulting in the loss of Jesus' feet in the painting and causing further deterioration. The painting also faced irreverence when Napoleon's invading troops used the refectory as a stable.
Today, the painting is a well-known attraction, with visitors travelling to the square of the church and heading to the left of the main entrance to access it. The closest underground stations, Conciliazione (M1) and Cadorna (M1/M2), are a 10-minute walk away. Visitors are advised to book tickets in advance, as they often sell out, and can do so through the official website or by purchasing them in person at the ticket office.
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It is considered one of the world's most famous artworks and Italy's most visited sights
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is considered one of the world's most famous artworks and Italy's most visited sights. The painting, completed in 1498, is housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. It is a mural painting, measuring 460 cm x 880 cm, and covers an end wall of the dining hall at the monastery. The painting depicts the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles as told in the Gospel of John, specifically the moment after Jesus announces that one of his apostles will betray him.
Da Vinci's use of linear perspective in the painting is notable, with the vanishing point located at Jesus' right temple, drawing viewers' attention to the main subject. The painting is also known for its intricate details, such as the use of tempera on gesso, pitch, and mastic, which allowed for regular alterations. However, due to various factors, including environmental damage and intentional vandalism, little of the original painting remains today despite numerous restoration attempts.
The Last Supper is a popular tourist attraction, and tickets often sell out. Visitors can purchase tickets in advance or at the official ticket office on the day of their visit. The closest underground stations are Conciliazione (M1) or Cadorna (M1/M2), and it is about a 10-minute walk from there. Visitors are advised to arrive at the ticket office about 20 minutes before their scheduled time slot to ensure they do not miss their turn.
The painting has had a significant influence on the development of art, with Giorgio Vasari describing it as "a beautiful and marvellous thing". It is considered a unique artistic achievement and has exerted a considerable influence on both the development of iconographic themes and the destiny of painting. Preserving the delicate painting and making it accessible to the public is a continuous challenge for restorers, architects, and art historians.
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The painting was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan
The painting "The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci is housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. It is considered one of the world's most famous artworks and among Italy's most visited sights. The painting is not a fresco but a wall painting crafted using tempera, a permanent and fast-drying painting medium consisting of coloured pigments mixed with a water-soluble solution.
The work was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, as part of a plan of renovations to the church and its convent buildings. Sforza intended for the painting to decorate the wall of his planned mausoleum in the monastery. The painting was to be the centerpiece of the mausoleum, with Sforza coats-of-arms painted in the lunettes above the main painting.
Leonardo began working on the painting in 1494 or 1495, and it was completed in 1498. The painting measures 460 cm x 880 cm and covers an end wall of the dining hall at the monastery. Due to the methods used, environmental factors, and intentional damage, little of the original painting remains today despite numerous restoration attempts.
The painting depicts the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles as told in the Gospel of John. It captures the moment after Jesus announces that one of his apostles will betray him. Leonardo's use of perspective draws attention to the face of Christ, which is located at the vanishing point for all perspective lines. The painting is considered a masterpiece and has exerted a considerable influence on the development of art, opening up a new era in art history.
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It was painted on an exterior wall, which was susceptible to humidity and flaking
Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper is considered one of the world's most famous artworks and Italy's most visited sights. The painting is housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. It is a mural painting, crafted using a technique called tempera – a permanent, fast-drying painting medium consisting of coloured pigments mixed with a water-soluble. Tempera was chosen as it allowed for regular alterations, accommodating Leonardo's inconsistent painting schedule and frequent revisions.
The painting depicts the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles, as told in the Gospel of John. It captures the moment after Jesus announces that one of his apostles will betray him. Leonardo's masterful use of perspective draws attention to the face of Christ at the centre of the composition, with Christ's down-turned gaze directing focus to his hand and the bread.
Despite numerous restoration attempts, little of the original painting remains today due to a combination of environmental factors and intentional damage. The latest restoration was completed in 1999.
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The painting has deteriorated over time due to environmental factors and intentional damage
The mural painting, The Last Supper, by the Italian High Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, has suffered deterioration over the years due to a combination of environmental factors and intentional damage. The painting, which is housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy, was completed in the late 15th century, and by 1517, it had already started to deteriorate, as noted in contemporary diaries and letters.
One significant factor contributing to the deterioration of the painting is the technique and materials used by Leonardo da Vinci. He chose to paint on a stone wall, which was sealed with a double layer of gesso, pitch, and mastic. This provided an unstable surface, particularly as the wall was an exterior one and prone to absorbing moisture. The refectory's location in a low-lying part of the city, susceptible to flooding, further exacerbated this issue. The moisture absorption led to the growth of thick green mould that covered the entire painting after a flood in 1800.
Additionally, the painting was exposed to steam and smoke from the convent's kitchen and the candles used in the refectory. The use of tempera paint, which is more susceptible to the effects of moisture and steam, further accelerated the deterioration. The unconventional technique of using large quantities of lead white, which oxidises and turns brownish, also contributed to the corrosion.
Intentional damage has also played a role in the deterioration of the painting. In 1652, a door was cut into the refectory wall, destroying the area depicting Jesus's feet. Furthermore, in 1726, the first recorded restoration attempt was made by Michelangelo Bellotti, a painter hired by the members of the convent. Bellotti filled in cracked and peeling areas with new tempera paint and then covered the work with a layer of oil, hiding much of the original paint under his restoration. Subsequent restoration attempts, such as that by Giuseppe Mazza in 1770, who used an iron scraping tool and washed the wall with a sodium hydroxide solution, also caused further damage to the painting.
Despite numerous restoration attempts, the last one completed in 1999, little of the original painting remains today due to the combined effects of environmental factors and intentional damage.
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Frequently asked questions
The painting of the Last Supper is located in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy.
The full address is: Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano, Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 20123 Milano MI, Italy.
You can get to the painting by taking the train to Conciliazione (M1) or Cadorna (M1/M2) and then walking for 10 minutes. If you're coming from the Duomo, it's a 15-20 minute walk, or you can take the 16 tram.
Tickets to see the painting cost €12 and include a guided tour in English or Italian.
