The Last Supper

Leonardo da Vinci

Mural painting by Leonardo da Vinci (circa 1495–1498)

Leonardo da Vinci's iconic mural, "The Last Supper," painted between 1495 and 1498, is a masterpiece of the High Renaissance. Located in the refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy, this tempera painting on a stone wall captures a pivotal moment in Christian scripture: Jesus' announcement that one of his twelve apostles will betray him. The artwork is renowned for its innovative composition, emotional depth, and psychological portrayal of the apostles' reactions.

The fresco depicts Jesus at the precise moment he declares, "Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." The apostles are arranged in four groups of three, each reacting with shock, disbelief, or distress. Leonardo masterfully uses perspective to draw the viewer's eye to Jesus, who is the vanishing point of the composition. The scene is imbued with a sense of drama and human emotion, a departure from earlier, more static depictions of the event.

"The Last Supper" has been a subject of immense study and admiration for centuries. Its enduring appeal lies not only in its religious significance but also in Leonardo's unparalleled skill in rendering human expression and creating a dynamic, engaging narrative. Despite its fragile state due to Leonardo's experimental techniques, the mural remains one of the most universally recognized and beloved artworks in the world, a testament to the genius of Leonardo da Vinci and the enduring power of Renaissance art.

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