Last Supper by Da Vinci Research Paper

Last Supper is an extremely pivotal and tense event and moment. "The Last Supper" is supposedly the last meal that Jesus took with his disciples before he was killed. At this final meal, Jesus alerts his disciples of his knowledge that one of them will and has betrayed him. The painting depicts the moments supposedly that immediately followed Jesus' words.

Da Vinci's Last Supper is depicted in this ritual meal as a religious ceremony. Christ is very much the focal point of the entire piece and we have a sense of asymmetrical symmetry as he is flanked by his disciples…It is interesting to note, that with Christ as the center piece, how he is in fact well framed by the doorway. This provides contrast between his figure and the outside, as well as bringing out eye to the most important figure on the piece. His arms, head and body form a triangle, as well as the space on the left hand side between him and the figure to his left. The disciples are also nicely arranged into groups of three along the length of the table. (Totally History, 2012)

Each disciple is present in the painting and at the meal; each one of them is positioned in a different pose with a different facial expression. The differentiation among the disciples is supposed to be revelatory with respect to their reactions and perceptions of Jesus' declaration. The triangulation of Jesus at the center of the painting reinforces the theme or myth of the Holy Trinity, the father, the son, and the Holy Ghost, which Jesus additionally symbolizes. There is stability and disruption in the composition of the work, just as there is stability and disruption with the characters. Jesus is calm, despite his sadness and his foreknowledge of betrayal. He represents the stability. The chaos found is in the other characters, their bodies and faces thrown asunder. Despite the contrast and contradiction, the painting is quite balanced. This complexity, among other characteristics, distinguish "The Last Supper" as an innovation among Leonardo's myriad of achievements and contributions to art. Leonardo da Vinci, one of the most famous and notable Renaissance men and artists, painted this iconic scene many centuries ago, and yet the painting still persists as an inspiration and marvel to the present day.

The painting is unique and complex for a variety of reasons.For one thing, the painting is deceptively simple. It is an homage and exercise in geometry, balance, rhythm and composition. It seems to be an arrangement of a few groups with Jesus at the center. Furthermore, this was not yet a moment or a scene from Jesus' life that was depicted, commission, or considered worthy of artistic rendering. In this sense, the painting is somewhat original. It is an extremely potent and tension moment to capture. Though the painting is a singular moment, there is clear implication of space and time in the content. This is not a painting that can be viewed simply or instantaneously. Viewing this painting, as with the construction of this painting, must be done in layers.

In the profound conception of his theme, in the perfect yet seemingly simple arrangement of the individuals, in the temperaments of the Apostles highlighted by gesture, facial expressions, and poses, in the drama and at the same time the sublimity of the treatment, Leonardo attained a height of expression that has remained a model of its kind. Countless painters in succeeding generations, among them great masters such as Rubens and Rembrandt, marveled at Leonardo's composition and were influenced by it and by the painting's narrative quality. (Encyclopedia Brittanica, 2012)

Again, the theme and content were not yet considered worthy for artistic representation. This is one of the numerous expressions of innovation Leonardo provides through this work. There is a supreme level of detail in the largest and smallest aspects of the work. The quotation above mentions the facial expression and poses, but the details extend to their hand positions, the complexity and depth of the lighting, even their feet below the table planted on the floor. Over the centuries of its existence, art historians and critics have duly noted the layers upon layers….....