| Italian Renaissance | Art Analysis
The Last
Supper – by Leonardo Da Vinci| Initial Comment |
I knew immediately I would choose The Last Supper for my Italian Renaissance art analysis assignment. I own a large print of this that hangs in our dining room. I absolutely love this picture, the imagery and the history. The emotions that are elicited from viewing this artwork is mostly sadness. Knowing that this piece depicts the moment that Jesus announces the betrayal of one of his disciples during their last meal together. On the faces of the Apostles are anger, sadness, frustration, and confusion. For Christians, the moment this piece represents is the beginning of the Passion.
| A Brief History |
Between 1494 and 1498, under the government of Ludovico il Moro, one of history’s most influential works of art was created.
The Last Supper is located in its original location, on the wall of the dining room of the former Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy. The paining is huge, 4.6 meters high and 8.8 meters wide. Made with tempera and oil on a gypsum preparation instead of the technique commonly used in the fresco period. (Italy) There was some religious turmoil among the Roman Catholic Church and through a high transition time in the church, Pope Alexander VI (1492-1503) reign coincided with the beginning the High Renaissance and the enthusiasm that had marked earlier activity diminished. (Encyclopedia)
| Viewing the Last Supper in Real Life |
I thought the photograph below was very interesting. It gives an idea of viewing an original.
A group of tourists view Leonardo da Vinci’s famed “Last Supper” painting, a large mural on a wall of a monastery in Milan. The tour group, including University of Kansas Alumni and friends, visited northern Italy last fall.
| Technique |
Leonardo hadn't worked on such a large painting and had no experience in the standard mural medium of fresco. The painting was made using experimental pigments directly on the dry plaster wall and unlike frescos, where the pigments are mixed with the wet plaster, it has not stood the test of time well. Even before it was finished there were problems with the paint flaking from the wall and Leonardo had to repair it. Over the years it has crumbled, been vandalized bombed and restored. Today we are probably looking at very little of the original. (Leonardo)
| Analysis |
Leonardo is referred to as the “Universal Renaissance Man.” His technique and style are the very definition of Renaissance art. Leonardo maximizes depth in this painting by using linear perspective and symmetry. Jesus is the center of the piece. There is equal symmetry of the same amount of people on each side of him. There is also an element of naturalistic realism of the faces of the Disciples. Each face has a look of shock, disbelief, anger, sadness. The gentleness of the hands and the gestures they make unique to each individual of the picture. Jesus has his arms open, preparing his last meal. Judas has his hands tightly gripped around his coin bag. John has a firm grasp on his dagger. Also, after reviewing the history of this painting I know that this is an oil painting which is a significant characteristic of Renaissance art. (Italian)
I shared previously that I love this piece of artwork and have a copy of it in my dining room. I was unaware of the number of restorations this piece has endured. I would love to visit and view the original piece of this artwork.
| Who’s Who in the Last Supper |
| Works Cited |
Da Vinci, Leonardo. “The Last Supper – by Leonardo Da Vinci.” 10 Secrets of The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. Accessed February 19. 2023.
Encyclopedia of Art History. “Renaissance Art in Rome Under the Popes (1400-1600).” Renaissance Art in Rome Under the Popes (visual-arts-cork.com). Accessed February 20, 2023.
Farrar, Foss. “A trip to see ‘The Last Supper.’” Courier Traveler, A trip to see ‘The Last Supper’ | News | ctnewsonline.com. April 7, 2017.
Italian Renaissance Art. “Renaissance Art in Italy (c.1400-1600).” Renaissance Art: History, Characteristics (visual-arts-cork.com). Accessed February 20th, 2023.
Italy Museum. “Leonardo’s Last Supper.” Milan Museum. The Last Supper - Leonardo Da Vinci - Useful Information (milan-museum.com). Accessed February 20, 2023.
Thank you for sharing! This piece of art is different from the others, I loved how it was put into more of a common realistic view during this time era when the Reformation was happening as well as the dividing of the Catholic Church. Most pieces of art created in the late 14th century/15th century was centered around Ovid's Metamorphoses which is about fearing of the gods/greek gods, so most artists would paint a scene about destruction/chaos. but I loved how this one focused on as different yet similar view of the Reformation.
ReplyDeleteDa´Vinci is one of my favorite resonance artists. As you said, he used many techniques and experimented with new materials. So it is a little bit of reassurance to see that these masters also dis some mistakes. Knowing that the original fresco was a little bit of a failed experiment reminds me that I still can be a great artist and make mistakes.
ReplyDeleteI'd seen this piece before, but had no idea about the true scale of it! It is unfortunate to learn that most of the original paint has fallen away and been destroyed, but I think it says something about the human need to appreciate and preserve art that we've repaired the piece and continue to view it today! It's also interesting to hear about the religious turmoil happening around the time of this painting, with the pope's reign ending coinciding with the beginning of the high renaissance, and it makes me wonder if this change in power in the church had a large impact on the art of the time.
ReplyDelete