The Last Supper: Da Vinci’s Masterpiece Re-examined

 

Throughout history, the world has seen the brilliance of many artists. Centuries after centuries, an artist stands out with their undeniable talent portrayed in the form of art and literature. During the renaissance, an Italian polymath showed interest in invention, literature, science, art, mathematics, painting, sculpturing, and so much more. This man left the world with undeniable wisdom along with breath-taking art. He is one of the greatest painters that has ever walked the earth. It was Leonardo da Vinci. 

Out of all the da Vinci paintings, only 15 have survived the ruin of time. With the Mona Lisa as his astounding work, his painting The Last Supper has suffered most controversies. Let us take a closer look at the painting that has left philosophers, artists, thinkers, and historians baffled. 

1. The Story behind The Last Supper

Leonardo da Vinci based his masterpiece on the Holy Supper mentioned in the Gospels of the New Testament. The Last Supper or the Passover Meal in the Bible describes the last meal shared by Jesus with his disciples before his crucifixion and consequent death. 

During the meal, Jesus prophesises the betrayal of one of his 12 disciples. He declares that his time in the mortal world has almost come to an end. Before which he washes the feet of his disciples to portray the equality among men.

Jesus also laid the foundations of the sacred Christian rite of Eucharist. He fed unleavened bread and wine to his disciples affirming that it was the essence of his holy body and blood during The Last Supper. Churches have followed the rite religiously to this day. 

After the Passover Meal and Judas’s betrayal, Jesus’s crucifixion fulfills his prophesy.

2. Da Vinci’s Masterpiece: A Failed Experiment?

The painting was da Vinci’s experiment with Tempera paints on dry plaster. He had never attempted a painting of this scale using a technique foreign to him. The inexperience could be visibly seen as the paint came off the canvas as flakes as it could not adhere to the medium. It was, in reality, a failure. It lasted barely a decade before da Vinci had to repair the damages it incurred. 

Thus, the painting underwent restoration several times after its recovery. Yet, the original beauty crumbled away with time. Today, the painting is only a fifth of its original magnificence. 

3. The Original and the Copies

The original painting of The Last Supper caught the attention and envy of many. Soon, artists wanted to make copies of da Vinci’s magnificent work, but, only three have succeeded and they were all his students.

There are three known copies of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. One found its home at London’s Royal Academy of Arts. Painted by Gaimpietrino in the 16th century, it later became the source for the restoration of the original. Andrea Solari’s copy is at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Belgium. The third and final copy painted by Cesare da Sesto is at the Church of Saint Ambrogio in Switzerland. 

The original painting is at the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. 

The painting is famous for its symmetry and symbolism. Many scholars have found several symbols that represent omens in many cultures within the painting. This caused many controversies and conspiracy theories. Ranging from facts to fiction, including Dan Brown’s best-selling book The Da Vinci Code, the painting has influenced many books.

Leonardo da Vinci and his works will remain a significant part of history and the modern world till the end of time. It is and always will be a timeless masterpiece.