Throughout the course of art history, there have been countless artists who have turned their hand to depicting the events of The Last Supper; where Jesus shares a final meal with his disciples, revealing that one of them will soon betray him.
I recently read in the book Monuments Men, about the allied soldiers who worked to save antiquities during WWII, that the painting was almost destroyed by inaccurate allied bombing. A forward-thinking sandbagging effort by the Italians saved it.
Thanks John. Yes, you’re right. I actually would have liked to go into that side of the painting’s history too, but sadly there is never enough room to include everything here.
Even in its fragile state it really is a masterpiece to behold. As you know George, paintings of the Last Supper were common in monastery refectories, making monks feel as though they dined with Christ and the Apostles. However, Leonardo's interpretation, in a departure from traditional depictions, is notable for focusing on Jesus announcing his betrayal, rather than the Eucharist.
That news explodes from the centre of the composition like a veritable tsunami with Leonardo's masterful depiction of the diverse range of the apostle's emotions in response to Christ's message, in the way he attempted to in The Adoration of the Magi.
Your thoughts on this work are very much appreciated, Harry. In particular, on Leonardo’s focus on the betrayal aspect too - that is such a great observation.
I have sadly never stood in front of the real thing - but can only imagine the atmosphere in that room!
I was told while there to stand in a particular spot to get the full impact. Not sure if it's anecdotal but the monk's table was positioned in such a way (90 degrees to the painting) in the room that made the painting's perspective feel that it was an 'extension' of the refectory of whose wall coverings matched those on either side of the painting. I was certainly moved more by this then seeing the Mona Lisa and there's careful visitor control so you have room to breath and absorb Leonardo's mastery.
I've heard that too about the position of the table, and how Leonardo intentionally designed his perspective to fit the space. I definitely he think he was more than capable of going to those lengths.
Perhaps the Louvre in Paris really should take note of that controlled viewing experience for the Mona Lisa too. It would definitely help to improve the viewing experience there.
Great story and so well told! Thank you. I stood before the Vitruvian Man yesterday in Venice, it is part of show there at the moment. Da Vinci was something else.... Gave me goose bumps.
Thanks a lot. Oh, that’s so cool you were with the Vitruvian man yesterday. I’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of Leonardo’s drawings and works on paper too, but they never lose their impact!
I had the privilege of spending the allotted 15 minutes with this painting in Milan. Slow art at its best. My undivided attention looking at one painting. One of my most memorable experiences.
Yes, it’s a amazing isn’t it! Just goes to show that every artist has their own individual pace of work - and each masterpiece is brought to life in very different ways.
There is something magnificently ethereal in this work, in its decomposed state, so much more compelling than the copy. Of course he couldn’t have intended this, but the result is somehow a testament to his restless, mercurial genius. Thank you!
There is a wonderful novel based on Leonardo's attempt to find a model for Judas. It's by Leo Perutz, and an English translation is available under the title *Leonardo's Judas*. (I'm a big Perutz fan, he's great.)
What a funny story! However this story shows that Leo was a true artist - not willing to budge for expediency. Is it just me, or does John the Beloved look like a woman, could it be Mary?
Definitely - he had that key artistic temperament to just work on things in exactly the way he saw fit, regardless of whether it made sense to others.
And the Mary theory is certainly a popular one ever since Dan Brown popularized it! But personally, I tend to believe much more in the traditional interpretation of the figures.
However, of course, the only person who could tell us for sure is Leonardo himself.
Thank you George for your honest feedback, and for putting out this article. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and look forward to sharing the story about Leonardo over Easter supper.
Perfect read about this iconic work for this Easter weekend. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it and also picked up on the timing as to why I chose to share this particular work today! Wishing you a happy Easter.
Happy Easter to you as well.
Happy Easter to you as well.
Great essay!
I recently read in the book Monuments Men, about the allied soldiers who worked to save antiquities during WWII, that the painting was almost destroyed by inaccurate allied bombing. A forward-thinking sandbagging effort by the Italians saved it.
Thanks John. Yes, you’re right. I actually would have liked to go into that side of the painting’s history too, but sadly there is never enough room to include everything here.
Even in its fragile state it really is a masterpiece to behold. As you know George, paintings of the Last Supper were common in monastery refectories, making monks feel as though they dined with Christ and the Apostles. However, Leonardo's interpretation, in a departure from traditional depictions, is notable for focusing on Jesus announcing his betrayal, rather than the Eucharist.
That news explodes from the centre of the composition like a veritable tsunami with Leonardo's masterful depiction of the diverse range of the apostle's emotions in response to Christ's message, in the way he attempted to in The Adoration of the Magi.
Your thoughts on this work are very much appreciated, Harry. In particular, on Leonardo’s focus on the betrayal aspect too - that is such a great observation.
I have sadly never stood in front of the real thing - but can only imagine the atmosphere in that room!
I was told while there to stand in a particular spot to get the full impact. Not sure if it's anecdotal but the monk's table was positioned in such a way (90 degrees to the painting) in the room that made the painting's perspective feel that it was an 'extension' of the refectory of whose wall coverings matched those on either side of the painting. I was certainly moved more by this then seeing the Mona Lisa and there's careful visitor control so you have room to breath and absorb Leonardo's mastery.
I've heard that too about the position of the table, and how Leonardo intentionally designed his perspective to fit the space. I definitely he think he was more than capable of going to those lengths.
Perhaps the Louvre in Paris really should take note of that controlled viewing experience for the Mona Lisa too. It would definitely help to improve the viewing experience there.
With you all the way there George - maybe London's NG might also learn that lesson.
Great story and so well told! Thank you. I stood before the Vitruvian Man yesterday in Venice, it is part of show there at the moment. Da Vinci was something else.... Gave me goose bumps.
Thanks a lot. Oh, that’s so cool you were with the Vitruvian man yesterday. I’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of Leonardo’s drawings and works on paper too, but they never lose their impact!
I had the privilege of spending the allotted 15 minutes with this painting in Milan. Slow art at its best. My undivided attention looking at one painting. One of my most memorable experiences.
That is so cool, Andrew. I’ve never yet had the privilege with this work, but would absolutely love to spend time with if like that.
Wonderful article.
Thank you very much.
Knowing this took nearly as long as the Sistine Chapel ceiling 😭 insane!!
Yes, it’s a amazing isn’t it! Just goes to show that every artist has their own individual pace of work - and each masterpiece is brought to life in very different ways.
The vignettes of his work method are delightful. A true artist!
What an amazing story. Thank you!
I knew nothing about the story of this painting's creation. Thank you!
Great story behind this masterpiece. Thanks.
There is something magnificently ethereal in this work, in its decomposed state, so much more compelling than the copy. Of course he couldn’t have intended this, but the result is somehow a testament to his restless, mercurial genius. Thank you!
There is a wonderful novel based on Leonardo's attempt to find a model for Judas. It's by Leo Perutz, and an English translation is available under the title *Leonardo's Judas*. (I'm a big Perutz fan, he's great.)
What a funny story! However this story shows that Leo was a true artist - not willing to budge for expediency. Is it just me, or does John the Beloved look like a woman, could it be Mary?
Definitely - he had that key artistic temperament to just work on things in exactly the way he saw fit, regardless of whether it made sense to others.
And the Mary theory is certainly a popular one ever since Dan Brown popularized it! But personally, I tend to believe much more in the traditional interpretation of the figures.
However, of course, the only person who could tell us for sure is Leonardo himself.
Thank you George for your honest feedback, and for putting out this article. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and look forward to sharing the story about Leonardo over Easter supper.
Oh, here we go 😆
Superb! Thank you!
Thanks Mike. Much appreciated.
Wonderful thank you.
Have you seen F.N. Souza's version of the Last Supper ? It is certainly interesting.