This painting by Leonardo da Vinci has two levels of interpretation: the strictly artistic one and the hidden enigmas inside. The Last Supper Painting
An artistic appreciation
It is a large canvas (4.60 x 8.80) located in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in the city of Milan. It was painted between 1495 and 1497, in the name of its patron.
The scene is represented by a large table where the apostles accompany Jesus during his last supper, more specifically at the moment when Jesus stated that he would be betrayed by one of his followers who were gathered there. The figure shows each of the apostles with an expression only face that conveys your state of mind and Jesus in the center with a serene countenance.
From a technical point of view, the composition has a geometric structure with a linear perspective in which the figure of Jesus is the central axis. The distribution of the apostles generates a symmetrical and harmonious effect and two sources of light appear in the work. The Last Supper Painting
Discussion and criticism puzzles
Some expert scholars claim that “The Last Supper” is one of the greatest puzzles in the history of art. The mysteries hidden in the painting provoke all sorts of debate . Among the most significant are the following:
- – It is affirmed that the absence of the proper elements of the Eucharist in the scene described could symbolize a criticism by Leonardo of the official Catholic Church;
- – After the restoration work completed in 1997, it can be seen that the work is divided into two sectors: one of shadows and the other of light, which refer to the debate between faith and reason;
- – None of the characters appear with the halo of sanctity, a detail that opposes the artistic tradition with a religious theme; The Last Supper Painting
- – One of the characters, especially Peter, appears with a knife in one hand and with the other making a gesture of threat . John This data can be interpreted as a possible split in the origin of the Catholic Church;
- – João’s feminine aspect can be interpreted as an allusion to Maria Magdalena;
- – On the far right of “The Last Supper”, there are three characters who do not pay attention to Jesus, where Leonardo himself is believed to be in the center. On the other hand, some scholars claim that the character on the right is the philosopher Plato and not one of the apostles;
- – On the right edge of the picture there is a tablecloth with a knot at its end. Some historians say that this knot is a key signature (the word knot in Italy comes from “vincoli”, a word almost the same as Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo). The Last Supper Painting
