The last supper

Abstract

In the renaissance, there was a big influence of region on arts as with all aspects of life at the time. The best artists in the renaissance, such as Da Vinci and Michelangelo, worked on pieces that had a bearing on religion. The last supper, a meal divided up by Jesus and his disciples, was a popular subject by renaissance artists. The best known artistic impression of the last supper was created by Leonardo da Vinci and it was named “The Last Supper” or “Il Cenacolo or L'UltimaCena” in the original language. It was painted between 1495 – 1498 and took three years to be completed because Da Vinci did not work continuously on the painting. The original copy is on the wall of the refectory of the Santa Maria dell Grazie in Milano, Italy.

The painting measures 460 cm x 880 cm, and it covers the entire wall where it was painted. The painting is captures the moment after Jesus told his disciples than one among them would betray him. The impression is based on the accounts in the Gospel according to John in John, 13:21. The painting also captures the reaction of Jesus because though the other disciples were not aware, the viewer already knows the betrayer. The attention to detail, the artistic vision, perfection of the stature of the subjects and the recent controversy surrounding the painting are the most alluring aspects.