Shop art print and framed art The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper : an essential work of art

One of the world's most famous paintings, The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, has continued to fascinate art lovers and scholars since its creation in the 15th century. This iconic work depicts the last meal of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion and is considered one of the masterpieces of all time.

The historical and artistic context of The Last Supper

Commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, to decorate the refectory of the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper was produced between 1495 and 1498. At the time, Milan was an important cultural and political centre in Italy. Ludovico Sforza's government actively supported the arts and encouraged local and international talent. It was in this context that Leonardo da Vinci moved to Milan to work on several projects, including The Last Supper.

A bold choice of style and technique

Traditionally, murals were painted using the fresco technique, which involves applying pigments to fresh plaster to create a durable, moisture-resistant image. However, Leonardo da Vinci decided to use a different technique for The Last Supper: tempera on dry plaster. This method, which involves applying pigments to a previously dried support, allowed the artist to work more slowly and achieve finer detail.

But this bold choice had consequences : tempera on dry plaster is less resistant than fresco, and the paint quickly began to deteriorate. Indeed, by the middle of the 16th century, certain details of The Last Supper had already been lost. Despite several restoration attempts over the centuries, the fragility of the work remains today one of the great challenges posed by the conservation of The Last Supper.

The characters and composition of The Last Supper

Leonardo da Vinci depicted Jesus Christ surrounded by his twelve apostles, seated around a long rectangular table in a sober, uncluttered room. The focal point of the scene is Jesus himself, whose figure emanates an aura of serenity and spirituality. The apostles' gazes and gestures are directed towards him, conveying their surprise and dismay when Jesus announces that one of them will betray him.

In his depiction of The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci made brilliant use of linear perspective techniques to give an impression of depth and relief to the scene. In addition, he drew on his knowledge of anatomy to accurately depict the expressions and postures of the figures.

The preservation and restoration of The Last Supper over the centuries

Because of its tempera on dry plaster technique, Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper has undergone several restoration campaigns over the course of its history. As early as the 16th century, artists such as Giorgio Vasari deplored the rapid deterioration of the work. In the 18th century, the painter and art historian Giovanni Pietro Bellori expressed his regret at the state of The Last Supper, which he then deemed almost illegible.

The Last Supper is now exhibited in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, where it continues to attract thousands of visitors every year. Visiting conditions are strictly regulated in order to preserve the work: the number of people admitted simultaneously is limited and access to the room is subject to an air filtering system to prevent the accumulation of dust and humidity.

This artwork is a painting from the renaissance period. It belongs to the italian renaissance style.

« The Last Supper » is kept at Cenacolo Vinciano - Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy.

Find the full description of The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci on Wikipedia.