The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

The painting “The Last Supper” was done in the 1490s and represents the scene of the Last Supper, where Jesus fed and washed his disciples’ feet and announced that one of the twelve would betray him. The painting illustrates Jesus and the 12 disciples sitting around the table where they seem to be sharing a meal. The background of the image shows the skyline in the background showing they were in the upper room. Such characteristics illustrate that the work of art was meant to demonstrate how the Last Supper was just before Jesus was crucified.

The artist depicts the event accurately. The attention to details such as the robes they wore, illustration that they had supper in an upper room, and the dinner table is clear, hence no confusion to the audience. The painter used different colors and garments, which helps to identify the characters such as Jesus in the center with the red and blue garments. Changes such as the use of color are meant to add aesthetic value for the audience and illustrate mastery in blending and matching colors (Martin, 2018).

The artist’s message in the depiction is that Christ is compassionate for people irrespective of their mistakes and sins. One of the quotes by Leonardo da Vinci published in his notebooks is that “Our life is made by the death of others,” as noted by (King, R.2012) According to the author, the paradox of life sustaining itself on the death of something else or someone else disturbed Leonardo da Vinci, which might have contributed to the painting.

King, R. (2012). Leonardo and the Last Supper. London: A&C Black.

Martin, F., & Jacobus, L. (2018). The humanities through the arts. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.