Leonardo da Vinci arrived in Milan around the year 1482. Under the patronage of Duke Ludovico Gonzaga, Leonardo painted his famous Last Supper on the wall of the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Still, his technical application of paint was a failure, causing almost immediate damage to the famous work. Between his inadequate innovation, the wars with Napoleon, and WWII, the Last Supper fresco has absorbed an excessive amount of damage.
This discussion looks at the history of Last Supper depictions leading up to Leonardo, from the Early Christian catacombs to Byzantine mosaic. It explores how his innovative approach to art elaborated a traditional theme, making it more in line with the ideals of Renaissance Humanism. Although the application was a grave error, the technical design of the work and rich symbolism position this work as among the most important paintings of the Renaissance.
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