Analysis of the last supper by leonardo da vinci: materials, style, original motif

The name of the artwork is “ The Last Supper” (disambiguation). Leonardo da Vinci created this artwork. Da Vinci was referred to the place he lived. And Leonardo di ser piero da Vinci was the given name(The Last Supper). He was called the father of paleontology, ichnology and architecture and is widely considered as the greatest painter of all times. In 1480 Leonardo was working in Pizza San Marco in Florence. From 1482-1499 he worked with Andrea del Verrocchio, (the leading Florentine painter and sculptor) as a studio boy. According to Vasari Leonardo joined Verrocchio while he was painting “ The Baptism of Christ). That painting was far better from his master’s painting that Verrocchio put down his brush and never painted again. Which was created in 1498 in Milan.

Leonardo used paints to create his original artwork which was not true fresco. because Fresco can never be modified according to painter’s will. Leonardo sealed the stone wall with two layer of dry plasters. He used white lead as a base to increase the brightness of the oil and tempera that was applied on top. He didn’t finish at once. He took long time to finish it to develop gradual shading. Which was important for his style. This is how it was constructed.

The original style of art work is Christian art. Because it was showing the life cycle of Christ. This painting was depicting both the eastern and western church. In addition It was favorite subject for Italian artistry. That is why this is known as the best example of Christian art. It was known as history painting because it was showing the last supper of Jesus Christ where all his 12 apostles are present, and Jesus says that one of them are going to betray him and crucify him.

There are different stories behind why da Vinci created this artwork. One of the famous story is, Leonardo da Vinci was searching for the person who betrayed Jesus and once he found out judas who was the man behind Jesus’s betrayal. The second one is when da Vinci almost took 3 years to finish the painting because, his wish to procrastinate it. It was originally housed in refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan back in 1495. It is too big in size that it can not be move. It is specifically shows that the reaction given by each apostle when Jesus said that one of them would betray him. It shows their reaction mainly it was shock and horror.

Leonardo’s The Last Supper is one of the most admired, studied and most reproduced painting. The most innovative because it was 15 feet by 29 feet big( Innovation by Leonardo Da Vinci). In addition it was made in dinning hall wall of Santa Maria delle Grazie back in 1495. In this painting he invented his own technique. In this painting using tempera paints on stone. He used the material which can work with tempera and protect the paints from moisture.

To recreate this image or conduct a photoshoot I chose natural source of light which was sunlight from the window. Which can make it more brighter and more attractive. In addition I used the wood as a frame. As if this image was hung up on the old wood house. I chose about 7 frames and took almost 8 photographs to choose the best one. I tried different lighting medium as artificial light, studio lights. Then I realized if I put it in an original source of lighting that would be best. So I put it near the window and with the help of sunlight I made it more enhancing. I believe that if I use the wooden frame for my homage, I could make people believe that it was too old and if it could be re housed it should be somewhere it goes with. That’s why I have chosen this frame.

This masterpiece was called the “ ahead of his time. ” The colors, textures, the background the techniques he used in his painting was incredible. It takes a lot of time and talent to recreate it.