The Last Supper

Summary

In Milan's Santa Maria della Grazie, Drs. Steven Zucker and Beth Harris explore Leonardo da Vinci's 'Last Supper'. They discuss the painting's narrative, depicting the apostles' reactions to Christ's declaration of betrayal and the institution of the Eucharist. The analysis highlights the emotional expressions, the use of geometry and perspective focusing on Christ, and the contrast between divine serenity and human chaos. The video also touches on the painting's conservation challenges due to Leonardo's experimental techniques.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The setting of Leonardo da Vinci's 'Last Supper' is in the refectory of Santa Maria della Grazie in Milan, where monks would dine and view the painting multiple times a day.
• 🍞 The painting depicts the moment after Christ announces that one of his apostles will betray him, capturing the apostles' reactions to this shocking revelation.
• 🛑 Christ's gesture in the painting is central to the sacrament of the Eucharist, where he is seen reaching towards both bread and wine, symbolizing his body and blood.
• 🔍 The painting is interpreted by scholars in various ways, focusing on the timing of Christ's words and the apostles' responses, as well as the institution of the sacrament.
• 👤 Judas, the apostle who will betray Christ, is shown with a bag of silver, his face in shadow, and reaching towards the same bowl as Christ, indicating his betrayal.
• 📐 Leonardo da Vinci's use of geometry and perspective in the painting, such as the equilateral triangle formed by Christ and the circular framing of his head, creates a divine and central presence.
• 🌟 The contrast between the calm and serene figure of Christ and the chaotic, energetic reactions of the apostles highlights the human experience amidst divine events.
• 👥 The apostles are grouped in sets of three, with overlapping figures and gestures that create drama and tension, reflecting the emotional responses to the Last Supper's events.
• 👀 The painting emphasizes the use of body language to reveal the internal nature of the characters, particularly in the expressions and postures of the apostles.
• 🖼️ Leonardo's 'Last Supper' simplifies the scene compared to earlier depictions, focusing on the figures and their gestures, and creating a separation between the viewer's world and that of Christ and the apostles.
• 🗓️ The painting's condition has deteriorated over time due to Leonardo's experimental technique of using oil paint and tempera on dry plaster, which was not typical for frescoes.

Q & A

Where is Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper located?

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is located in Santa Maria della Grazie in Milan.

What is the significance of the room where the Last Supper is painted?

The Last Supper is painted in the refectory, a room where monks would eat their meals in silence, allowing them to contemplate the artwork during their daily routines.

How does the painting depict the moment after Christ announces the betrayal?

The painting captures the immediate reactions of the apostles to Christ's declaration that one of them will betray him, showing a range of emotional responses around the table.

What is the sacrament being instituted in the painting?

The painting depicts the institution of the sacrament of the Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion, where Christ gives the bread and wine to his apostles as symbols of his body and blood.

How does the depiction of Christ's hands in the painting contribute to its narrative?

Christ's hands are shown reaching towards both the bread and a glass of wine, symbolizing the Eucharist, while also indicating the betrayer by reaching towards a bowl that Judas is also reaching for.

Who is Judas, and how is he portrayed in the painting?

Judas is the apostle who will betray Christ, identified by his grasping a bag of silver and his face being cast in shadow, indicating his guilt and the forthcoming betrayal.

How does Leonardo da Vinci use the composition of the figures to create drama in the painting?

Leonardo da Vinci creates drama by arranging the apostles in groups of three, overlapping and interconnecting them, which enhances the emotional tension and contrast among their reactions.

What is the significance of the geometric composition around Christ in the painting?

Christ is placed at the center of an equilateral triangle and is framed by a circular window that acts as a halo, creating a calm, divine center amidst the chaos of human emotions.

How does the painting's perspective contribute to the viewer's experience?

The perspective in the painting is designed to be seen correctly from a higher viewpoint, suggesting an elevation of the viewer's perspective and focusing attention on the divine presence of Christ.

What technical challenges did Leonardo da Vinci face while creating the Last Supper?

Leonardo faced challenges due to his experimental use of oil paint and tempera on dry plaster instead of traditional fresco techniques, leading to the painting's deterioration soon after its completion.

How does the Last Supper reflect the High Renaissance ideals?

The Last Supper embodies High Renaissance ideals by integrating eternal and perfect elements within the chaos of human experience, showcasing a unified composition that unites the earthly and the divine.