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Last Supper painting history | Commission, creation & restoration
Last Supper Milan History
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Contents
History of The Last Supper explained
Commissioning of The Last Supper
Late 15th Century
Leonardo da Vinci began painting The Last Supper in 1945 when he received a commission from the Duke of Milan. The Duke wanted to decorate the dining hall of the Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery with a beautiful mural, and picked Leonardo Da Vinci for this. Using innovative techniques, Da Vinci brought this biblical scene to life.
Experimenting with dry plaster
16th - 18th Century
Leonardo da Vinci's use of experimental techniques like tempera on dry plaster made the painting vulnerable to damage. Over the years, the painting faced damage due to neglect, war, and some not-so-great restoration attempts. Prolonged poor maintenance caused the paint to fade, crack, and peel.
Rise of Da Vinci
19th Century
During the 19th century, a flood in the refectory caused mold to grow on the painting and caused a lot of damage to the painting. Thankfully appreciation for Da Vinci and the Renaissance period grew in this period and people started caring for The Last Supper. Many artists tried their hand at restoring the masterpiece, some more successful than others.
World War II damage
20th Century
During World War II The Last Supper faced the threat of damage and destruction. To keep the painting safe from bomb blasts the refectory wall was bricked up and covered with sandbags. The decision proved successful as the building housing the painting survived the war. The protective measures taken during the 20th century played a vital role in safeguarding this masterpiece.
Preserving The Last Supper
21st Century
Conservationists are now dedicated to preserving The Last Supper. To ensure its longevity, they are using varied techniques to assess the painting's condition. With this knowledge, they develop targeted plans to protect and conserve the artwork. Through continuous research, innovation, and unwavering commitment conservationists are working towards safeguarding this extraordinary artwork for all future generations.
Damage to The Last Supper across history
World War II bombings (20th Century)
During World War II, the monastery housing The Last Supper was bombed, causing significant damage to the painting. Fortunately, it had been previously safeguarded with sandbags and scaffolding, which helped protect it.
The painting's technique
Da Vinci chose an unusual painting method for The Last Supper. Instead of using wet plaster like traditional frescoes, he used dry plaster and mixed tempera and oil paints. The pigments didn't stick well to the wall without the wet plaster, leading to the painting flaking, peeling, and changing color soon after it was finished.
Humidity and neglect
Over the centuries, The Last Supper suffered from neglect and exposure to humidity, leading to severe deterioration. Layers of paint began to flake off, and the mural's vibrancy faded.
Napoleon's damage
Napoleon's troops, during their occupation of Milan in 1796, used the room containing The Last Supper as a stable and an armory. As a result of that, the painting went through even more abuse and damage.
Restoration of The Last Supper
1700s
1800s
1900s
Early Restoration Attempts
- Michelangelo Bellotti (1726): The first restoration attempt involved painter Michelangelo Bellotti, who filled damaged areas with tempera paint and covered the work with oil, obscuring much of the original painting.
- Giuseppe Mazza (1770): Hired priests attempted to restore the painting again. Giuseppe Mazza used an iron scraping tool to remove Bellotti's additions, repainted areas, and mistakenly washed the wall with a damaging solution, leading to his dismissal.
Stefano Barezzi's Intervention
In 1821, Stefano Barezzi made a misguided attempt to remove The Last Supper from the wall, mistaking it for a fresco. When he realized his mistake, he tried to repair the damage by gluing the paint back and adding colored stucco patches. Stefano Barezzi was again hired to work on The Last Supper between 1853 and 1855,. Through careful conservation efforts, Barezzi successfully cleaned and restored the artwork, revealing stunning painted lunettes above the painting.
Scientific Restoration
- Luigi Cavenaghi (1908): Cavenaghi analyzed the painting's chemical components, revealing its use of tempera paint and multiple plaster layers.
- Oreste Silvestri (1924): Silvestri preserved the painting by applying new plaster to its edges.
- Mauro Pelliccioli (1947-1954): Pelliccioli conducted several restoration sessions, including a thorough cleaning, removal of shellac, and revealing original details like the Assisi design on the tablecloth and gold lettering on Judas's robe.
- Pinin Brambilla Barcilon (1976-1999): A comprehensive 21-year restoration process began in 1978, led by Pinin Brambilla Barcilon. It involved meticulous cleaning, reversing previous restoration attempts, and delicately filling damaged areas with watercolor paints. Controversy surrounded the process, with debates over the extent of original work retained.
- Preservation: The former refectory housing the painting has been transformed into a controlled room to protect it from environmental hazards. Visitors have limited viewing time to ensure preservation.
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Frequently asked questions about The Last Supper history
What is the historical significance of The Last Supper?
The Last Supper is historically significant as a masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci, symbolizing the pinnacle of Renaissance art and innovation. It narrates the biblical moment of Jesus revealing his betrayal to his apostles during their final meal.
How old is The Last Supper?
The Last Supper was created between 1495 and 1498, making it over 500 years old.
What is the historical context in which The Last Supper was created?
The Last Supper was painted during the Italian Renaissance, a period of significant artistic, cultural, and intellectual growth. It exemplifies the era's fascination with perspective, storytelling, and artistic innovation.
How many years did it take to make The Last Supper?
The Last Supper was painted by Leonardo da Vinci over a span of approximately three years, from 1495 to 1498.
What events or incidents have shaped the history of The Last Supper?
The Last Supper faced damage during World War II bombings, leading to extensive restoration efforts. Its enduring fame and appearances in popular culture have also contributed to its history.
What is the most interesting fact about The Last Supper’s history?
One interesting fact about The Last Supper's history is that it is speculated to hold a lot of secrets of Christianity.
What specific challenges did Leonardo face in painting The Last Supper?
Leonardo da Vinci faced challenges in conveying complex emotions and interactions while using an experimental painting technique on dry plaster for The Last Supper. Technical issues such as flaking and discoloration arose due to this method, along with his meticulous attention to detail, prolonging the painting process.
Why did Leonardo da Vinci choose to paint The Last Supper on a dry plaster wall instead of using the traditional fresco technique?
Leonardo da Vinci opted to paint The Last Supper on a dry plaster wall instead of using the traditional fresco technique primarily because he wanted greater control and detail in his work. The traditional fresco method required painting on wet plaster, which limited the artist's ability to make changes and adjustments. By using dry plaster and a mix of tempera and oil paints (known as the secco technique), Leonardo could work more slowly and achieve finer details, albeit at the expense of long-term durability.
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