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Visual Analysis: The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
Introduction
Art creates insight into the esteemed message that artists intend to deliver to their
audience. This culture has been in place since time immemorial. Artistic works come in various
forms, from music to murals, just as the works of Leonardo da Vinci in his famous Last Supper
mural, which is located in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Imagery often creates the
illusion of focus for how the message ought to be delivered, like in this case, a visual
presentation of an event that happened sometime in history. The mural done by Leonardo da
Vinci depicts the exact moment that Jesus reveals to his disciples that one among them is going
to betray Him. The art itself takes a holistic approach and provides an overview of the religious
context of the entire setting in the painting. In detail, just to elaborate on a few, the mural
showcases dispersion among the disciples who are all at the same table as their master, but they
seem to be holding tiny discussions separately. The artist takes time to clearly deliver an insight
into the exact moment the confusion sets in among the disciples. Notice the dispersion amongst
the members – in the painting – sharing the same table as their master, who is in the very middle.
It is unlike the other works of the Last Supper seen over the years and done by different artists
that depict the same message, but less authentically than the work done by Leonardo da Vinci.
The paper elaborates on the stylistic, compositional, and symbolic development that the mural of
the Last Supper depicts.
Historical Background of the Artist and Relevance to The Painting
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Not much is known about Leonardo and his childhood. However, he was introduced to
the artistic world of painting by his father through Andrea del Verrocchio, who was an Italian
sculptor and painter (Adams, 292). This is where he gained the thirst to work on paintings. One
of them is the mural discussed throughout this paper. He learns about art, specifically painting,
and gradually matures to gain a reputation like no one else due to his determination and effort.
But it is not until the age of puberty, that he gets a chance to showcase his mastery, and this is in
a famous painting well known as Baptism of Christ by his teacher and mentor Verrocchio,
whereby he gets an opportunity to share in delivering the work, he paints two figures into the
painting, kneeling angels that have the Christs clothes that are on the left-hand side of the
portrait. (Adams, 292). Later on in life is when Leonardo worked on the mural of the Last
Supper.
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
Visual Analysis: The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
Introduction
Art creates insight into the esteemed message that artists intend to deliver to their
audience. This culture has been in place since time immemorial. Artistic works come in various
forms, from music to murals, just as the works of Leonardo da Vinci in his famous Last Supper
mural, which is located in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Imagery often creates the
illusion of focus for how the message ought to be delivered, like in this case, a visual
presentation of an event that happened sometime in history. The mural done by Leonardo da
Vinci depicts the exact moment that Jesus reveals to his disciples that one among them is going
to betray Him. The art itself takes a holistic approach and provides an overview of the religious
context of the entire setting in the painting. In detail, just to elaborate on a few, the mural
showcases dispersion among the disciples who are all at the same table as their master, but they
seem to be holding tiny discussions separately. The artist takes time to clearly deliver an insight
into the exact moment the confusion sets in among the disciples. Notice the dispersion amongst
the members – in the painting – sharing the same table as their master, who is in the very middle.
It is unlike the other works of the Last Supper seen over the years and done by different artists
that depict the same message, but less authentically than the work done by Leonardo da Vinci.
The paper elaborates on the stylistic, compositional, and symbolic development that the mural of
the Last Supper depicts.
Historical Background of the Artist and Relevance to The Painting
, 2
Not much is known about Leonardo and his childhood. However, he was introduced to
the artistic world of painting by his father through Andrea del Verrocchio, who was an Italian
sculptor and painter (Adams, 292). This is where he gained the thirst to work on paintings. One
of them is the mural discussed throughout this paper. He learns about art, specifically painting,
and gradually matures to gain a reputation like no one else due to his determination and effort.
But it is not until the age of puberty, that he gets a chance to showcase his mastery, and this is in
a famous painting well known as Baptism of Christ by his teacher and mentor Verrocchio,
whereby he gets an opportunity to share in delivering the work, he paints two figures into the
painting, kneeling angels that have the Christs clothes that are on the left-hand side of the
portrait. (Adams, 292). Later on in life is when Leonardo worked on the mural of the Last
Supper.
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
