Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper is a renowned mural painting that has fascinated art enthusiasts and history buffs for centuries.
Completed between 1495 and 1498, it is housed in the refectory of the Santa Maria delle Grazie.
This masterpiece of the Italian High Renaissance, depicting the moment Jesus reveals that one of his apostles will betray him, is considered a must-see for anyone visiting Milan.
That’s why more than half a million tourists visit The Last Supper annually.
The setting: Santa Maria delle Grazie
Santa Maria delle Grazie, a historic church and Dominican convent in Milan, serves as the home of The Last Supper.
Commissioned in the early 1460s by Francesco I Sforza, the Duke of Milan, the church was initially designed in the Gothic style.
Later, Duke Ludovico Sforza, also known as ‘Il Moro,’ expanded the church with the intention of making it a mausoleum for the Sforza family. However, only his wife Beatrice d’Este and Ludovico himself ended up being buried there.
Ludovico Sforza brought in the famed Renaissance architect Donato Bramante to accommodate these changes.
Bramante’s additions to the church included semi-circular apses, a drum-shaped dome, and additional buildings like the cloister and refectory.
The refectory, located on the western side of the convent, houses The Last Supper on its north wall. Opposite the painting, on the south wall of the refectory, is another notable fresco: The Crucifixion by Donato Montorfano.
The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is free for everyone to enter, while access to the refectory requires a paid, timed ticket.
The refectory is sometimes called the Last Supper Museum (Cenacolo Vinciano).
The subject and composition: A human drama
The Last Supper portrays the final meal that Jesus shared with his twelve apostles before his arrest and crucifixion.
The scene specifically depicts the moment after Jesus announces that one of his apostles will betray him, capturing the apostles’ reactions of shock, horror, and rage.
The painting has been hailed as the “painting that speaks” due to its ability to convey human emotion so powerfully.
The apostles’ varied reactions are vividly portrayed:
Bartholomew, James the Lesser, and Andrew form a group of three, their faces expressing astonishment.
Judas, clutching a small bag, leans back in shock and spills salt, which was considered an omen of bad luck at the time.
Peter appears angry and grasps a knife, while John, who is next to Jesus, looks faint. Some people mistakenly believe that the person to Jesus’s right is Mary Magdalene, but art historians confirm that it is John. Leonardo often blurred the lines between the sexes in his paintings.
Thomas, James the Greater, and Philip form another group of three. Thomas appears to be questioning Jesus, while James the Greater throws his arms out in disbelief. Philip seems to be seeking clarification.
Matthew, Thaddeus, and Simon make up the final group of apostles, engaging in a lively discussion.
Leonardo’s masterful use of perspective draws the viewer’s eye to the central figure of Jesus. The vanishing point, located near Jesus’ head, emphasizes his importance within the scene and enhances the painting’s realism.
RECOMMENDED
Opening hours of Santa Maria delle Grazie
How to reach Santa Maria delle Grazie
Interesting facts about The Last Supper
What to see at the Last Supper church
A challenging technique and deterioration: A fragile masterpiece
Leonardo da Vinci employed an experimental technique for The Last Supper, opting to paint on dry plaster rather than using the traditional fresco method.
This decision stemmed from his desire to work slowly, make revisions, and achieve greater detail and luminosity.
However, Leonardo’s approach, which involved applying tempera and oil on a gypsum preparation, made the painting more vulnerable to deterioration. The paint began to flake soon after the painting was completed in 1498.
Over the centuries, the painting suffered significant damage from various factors, including:
Humidity: Moisture in the walls, caused by the hasty rebuilding of the church, contributed to the paint’s failure to properly adhere.
Environmental factors: The refectory’s location on a thin exterior wall made the painting more susceptible to temperature fluctuations and dampness.
Intentional alterations: In 1652, a doorway was cut through the center of the painting, which, although later bricked up, caused permanent damage.
Neglect and vandalism: The refectory was used as an armory, stable, and prison at various points in history, leading to further damage from vandalism, flooding, and neglect.
Misguided restoration attempts: Early restoration efforts, which involved applying oil paint and varnish, further compromised the painting’s original state.
Restoration efforts: Preserving a legacy
Numerous restoration attempts have been undertaken since the 18th century to preserve The Last Supper.
These efforts have ranged from cleaning and stabilizing the paint to removing layers of overpainting from previous restorations.
The most recent and extensive restoration, completed in 1999 by Pinin Brambilla Barcilon, took 21 years. This project involved using advanced scientific techniques to analyze the painting’s structure, remove contaminants, and restore the original colors as closely as possible.
Strict measures are now in place to protect the painting from further deterioration. These measures include:
Controlled air quality: The refectory’s air is carefully filtered and maintained at a constant temperature to minimize the impact of environmental factors.
Limited visitor access: Only small groups of visitors, typically 40 people every 15 minutes, are allowed into the refectory at a time. Visitors are allowed only 15 minutes to view the painting. That’s why it makes sense to book the Last Supper tickets in advance.
Timed entry slots: Advance booking is required to secure entry, ensuring a controlled flow of visitors and minimizing wait times.
Visiting The Last Supper: Planning your experience
Visiting The Last Supper requires careful planning due to the limited visitor access and high demand for tickets. Here are some essential tips:
Book tickets in advance: It is highly recommended that you book tickets online a few weeks before your visit. Tickets are typically released in batches every few months, and availability can be limited.
Consider guided tours: Guided tours can enhance your understanding of the painting’s history, technique, and symbolism. They also often include skip-the-line access, ensuring a smoother entry process. A variety of tours are available, ranging from one-hour guided tours focused solely on The Last Supper to full-day city-wide tours that incorporate a visit to the refectory.
Check for last-minute cancellations: While unlikely, checking with the museum ticket office for any last-minute cancellations may be worth trying if you haven’t booked tickets in advance.
Be aware of photography restrictions: While photography is generally permitted without flash, video recording is usually prohibited.
Insider knowledge: Tips to make your visit to The Last Supper unforgettable
Exploring beyond The Last Supper: The richness of Santa Maria delle Grazie
While The Last Supper is undoubtedly the highlight of any visit to Santa Maria delle Grazie, the complex offers other artistic and architectural treasures worth exploring:
The Crucifixion: Opposite The Last Supper, on the south wall of the refectory, is The Crucifixion, a fresco painted by Donato Montorfano in 1495. While The Last Supper appears to be painted in a simpler style, The Crucifixion features many figures, including horses, soldiers, and men and women, creating a feeling of movement around the three crosses.
Church interiors: The church boasts beautiful architecture and intricate details, showcasing a blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles.
Chapels: Explore the numerous chapels dedicated to different saints, each with its unique decorations, relics, and frescoes depicting biblical scenes and the lives of saints.
The Cloister: Find a moment of tranquility in the cloister, a peaceful garden with a round basin and cobbled paths, offering a serene contrast to the bustling city.
Beyond The Last Supper: Duomo di Milano is only a 1.8-kilometer (1.1-mile) stroll from The Last Supper. That’s why some tourists wonder if they must visit Santa Maria delle Grazie or the Duomo di Milano. If you have time on your hands, we suggest you explore both the Milanese cathedrals. Here’s a quick guide on how to travel from the di Milano to Santa Maria delle Grazie.