Isabella Flores
The Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci between 1494/1495 and 1498, is considered one of the most important mural paintings in the world. It depicts Jesus' final meal with his apostles before his crucifixion. The painting shows Jesus seated in the centre with 12 of his apostles on either side. The apostles are divided into three groups, each reacting differently to Jesus' announcement that one of them will betray him. The identities of the apostles have been debated, but Judas Iscariot, Peter, John, Bartholomew, James, son of Alphaeus, Andrew, Thomas, James the Greater, and Philip have been suggested. The painting is known for its use of tempera paint on a stone wall, its intricate details, and its depiction of human emotion and expression.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Leonardo da Vinci |
| Date | Between 1494/1495 and 1498 |
| Location | Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy |
| Medium | Tempera |
| Dimensions | 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) in height and 8.8 m (28 ft 10 in) in width |
| Subject | The Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples/apostles |
| Figures | Jesus, Judas Iscariot, Peter, John, Bartholomew, James (son of Alphaeus), Andrew, Thomas, James the Greater, Philip, Simon, Matthew, Thaddeus |
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What You'll Learn
The painting's biblical inspiration
The Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, depicts Jesus's final meal with his apostles before his capture and crucifixion in Jerusalem. The painting is based on the Gospel of John, Chapter 13, Verse 21, in which Jesus announces that one of his apostles will betray him.
The painting captures the consternation and varied emotions of the Twelve Apostles following Jesus's declaration. Each apostle is depicted with a unique reaction, ranging from horror to anger and shock. Leonardo da Vinci's composition separates the apostles into three distinct groups, symbolising the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The central figure of Jesus is calm and collected, with his gaze directed at the viewer, drawing them into the scene. Leonardo intentionally omitted halos from the figures, reflecting his belief that nature is God. The painting also incorporates symbolism, such as the spilled salt near Judas's elbow, which could represent bad luck, loss, or religion.
Leonardo da Vinci spent a significant amount of time researching and studying the various characters and their expressions. He sketched people in different instances and emotions to capture their movements and reactions accurately. The painting is known for its mastery of perspective, use of symmetry, and complex display of human emotion, reflecting da Vinci's genius and curiosity.
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Jesus' central position
The Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci between 1494/1495 and 1498, is considered perhaps the most important mural painting in the world. It depicts Jesus's final meal with his apostles before his capture and crucifixion in Jerusalem.
In the painting, Jesus is seated in the centre, with six of his disciples on either side of him. This central position is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it emphasises Jesus as the focal point of the painting. The composition of the painting, with Jesus in the middle and the apostles divided into three groups on either side, draws the viewer's gaze towards Jesus. This positioning highlights Jesus as the most important figure in the scene and reinforces his central role in the narrative.
Secondly, Jesus's central position may also symbolise his role as the host of the feast. In the traditional triclinium seating arrangement, the host would typically sit second to the left, with a guest of honour on their left and a trusted friend on their right. However, in Da Vinci's painting, Jesus occupies the central position, which could be interpreted as a deviation from traditional seating customs.
Additionally, Jesus's central position allows him to interact with multiple apostles simultaneously. In the painting, Jesus is shown reaching for a piece of bread with his right hand, mirroring the action of Judas, who is seated opposite him. This detail suggests that Jesus is aware of Judas's impending betrayal but chooses to offer him a seat of honour nonetheless, symbolising his love and forgiveness.
Furthermore, Jesus's calm and collected demeanour amidst the chaos around him is notable. While the apostles react with varying degrees of anger, shock, and confusion to his prediction of betrayal, Jesus remains composed and unfazed. This contrast in emotions further emphasises Jesus's central role and reinforces his divine nature.
Finally, the central position of Jesus may also hold religious significance. The Trinity grouping of apostles behind Jesus may symbolise the Holy Trinity, consisting of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. By positioning Jesus in the centre, Da Vinci may be emphasising the central role of Christ in Christian theology and doctrine.
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Judas' placement
Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, is a key figure in Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper". Da Vinci is said to have spent a considerable amount of time selecting models for each character, especially Judas. He wanted to find the right face to depict Judas's conniving nature. Judas's placement in the painting is significant and carries symbolic weight.
In traditional paintings, Judas is usually shown on the other side of the table, separated from the other apostles to emphasise his betrayal. However, in da Vinci's interpretation, Judas is placed on the same side of the table as the rest of the apostles, marking a departure from traditional representations. This innovative arrangement symbolises unity and suggests that Judas was once part of Christ's inner circle.
Judas is positioned in the group of three apostles to the left of Jesus, which includes Peter and John. This placement is significant because, in the Gospel of John, Judas is described as sitting to the left of Christ, in the seat of honour. This detail suggests that Jesus loved Judas deeply and offered him a place of honour despite knowing that Judas would betray him.
The placement of Judas in the painting also serves to emphasise his betrayal. Judas is shown pulling away from Christ, with his face cast in shadow, a technique known as chiaroscuro. Additionally, Judas is depicted holding a bag in his right hand, symbolising the thirty silver coins he was paid by the Romans for his betrayal.
Da Vinci's depiction of Judas in "The Last Supper" is a complex and innovative interpretation that captures the tension and emotion surrounding the betrayal of Jesus by one of his own disciples. Through the strategic placement of Judas and the use of symbolic elements, da Vinci skilfully conveys the significance of this pivotal moment in the Christian narrative.
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The apostles' reactions
The Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci between 1494/1495 and 1498, is a mural that depicts Jesus' final meal with his apostles before his crucifixion. It is considered one of the most famous and influential paintings in the world, and its creation was preceded by extensive research and experimentation.
The painting captures the moment when Jesus declares that one of his apostles will betray him. Each of the twelve apostles reacts differently to this revelation, with various degrees of anger, shock, and consternation. Leonardo's composition separates the apostles into three distinct groups, reflecting their varied responses.
The first group, located to the left of Jesus, consists of Bartholomew, James (son of Alphaeus), and Andrew. They are all surprised by Jesus' proclamation. Their faces convey a range of emotions, from astonishment to confusion, as they struggle to process the weight of Jesus' words.
The second group includes Thomas, James the Greater, and Philip. This triad is positioned between the first group and Jesus. Thomas, with his index finger raised, seems to be seeking confirmation or clarification, perhaps alluding to his well-known doubt after Jesus' resurrection. James and Philip, with their arms extended and hands on their chests, respectively, appear perplexed and concerned, seeking an explanation from Jesus.
The third group, situated to the right of Jesus, includes Peter, Judas, and John. This trio contains some of the most crucial characters in the narrative. Judas, wearing red, blue, and green, leans back into the shadow, his expression a mixture of withdrawal and surprise. Peter and John are engaged in an intense conversation, perhaps discussing the implications of Jesus' prediction or questioning who among them could be the betrayer.
Overall, the apostles' reactions in The Last Supper portray a range of human emotions and responses to Jesus' declaration, adding depth and complexity to the painting's narrative. Leonardo da Vinci's masterful depiction of their varied reactions showcases his understanding of human psychology and his ability to convey a sequential narrative through posture, gesture, and expression.
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The painting's deterioration and restoration
The Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci between 1494 and 1498, is considered perhaps the most important mural painting in the world. However, due to the methods used and various environmental factors, the painting began to deteriorate during Leonardo's lifetime. The refectory's humid interior, coupled with Leonardo's use of experimental techniques, caused the paint to deteriorate and the wall to grow mouldy.
In the 1670s, two accounts of the Last Supper's deterioration were recorded. In 1672, Pietro Paolo Bosca observed that the humid interior of the refectory was responsible for the painting's decline. Carlo Torre also described the painting's deterioration, comparing it to "a sun in the last hours of the day". Despite these observations, a major recovery effort was not attempted until 1726.
Over the centuries, various attempts have been made to restore the painting, with mixed results. The first restorer, Michelangelo Bellotti, cleaned the painting and repainted missing sections with opaque oil paints. He then sealed the painting with varnish. However, due to the moisture issues, the painting continued to deteriorate, and Bellotti's work was criticised for hiding most of the original paint. In 1770, Giuseppe Mazza was hired to restore the painting. He attempted to remove Bellotti's additions and fill in areas with an oil paint mixture. However, his use of a sodium hydroxide solution led to his dismissal.
In the 19th century, Stefano Barezzi cleaned the entire surface of the painting and removed plaster above it, revealing lunettes painted by Leonardo depicting the coats of arms of his patron and his sons. In the 20th century, advancements in scientific technologies were used in the restoration process. Luigi Cavenaghi conducted an analysis of the painting's chemical components, and Oreste Silvestri cleaned the painting and applied new plaster to the edges. The last restoration was completed in 1999, overseen by respected art restorer Pinin Brambilla Barcilon. During this restoration, dirt and grime were carefully removed, and past restoration attempts were reversed. The former refectory was also converted into a climate-controlled, sealed room to help prevent further deterioration.
Despite these restoration efforts, very little of the original painting remains today. The challenge of recreating Leonardo's techniques, along with the environmental factors contributing to the deterioration, have made the conservation and restoration of The Last Supper a complex and ongoing process.
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Frequently asked questions
Jesus is the central figure in the painting, seated in the middle of a group of his disciples/apostles.
The painting depicts the moment in the Bible when Jesus announces that one of his disciples will betray him.
Each of the 12 disciples has a different reaction to the news, with various degrees of anger and shock. da Vinci spent a lot of time researching the characters and their expressions, capturing a complex study of human emotion.
Judas is the disciple who betrays Jesus. da Vinci spent a long time choosing the right model for Judas, even going to jails to try and find the right expression.
