Interesting facts about the painting “The Last Supper. Icon "The Last Supper", meaning, what helps

Leonardo da Vinci is the most mysterious and unexplored personality of the past. Someone credits him God's gift and classifies him as a saint, someone, on the contrary, considers him an atheist who sold his soul to the devil. But the genius of the great Italian is undeniable, since everything that the hand of the great painter and engineer has ever touched was instantly filled with hidden meaning. Today we will talk about famous work « The Last Supper and the many secrets it hides.

Location and history of creation:

famous fresco located in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, located on the eponymous square in Milan. Or rather - on one of the walls of the refectory. According to historians, the artist specially depicted in the picture exactly the same table and dishes that were at that time in the church. By this he tried to show that Jesus and Judas (good and evil) are much closer to people than it seems.

The painter received an order to paint the work from his patron, Duke of Milan Ludovico Sforza in 1495. The ruler was famous for his dissolute life and with young years was surrounded by young bacchantes. The situation was not changed at all by the fact that the duke had a beautiful and modest wife, Beatrice d'Este, who sincerely loved her husband and, due to her meek disposition, could not argue with his way of life. It must be admitted that Ludovico Sforza sincerely revered his wife and was attached to her in his own way. But the dissolute duke felt the true power of love only at the moment of the sudden death of his wife. The grief of the man was so great that he did not leave his room for 15 days. And when he left, the first thing he ordered was Leonardo da Vinci's fresco, which his late wife had once asked for, and forever stopped all entertainment at court.

Pictured is the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

The work was completed in 1498. Its dimensions were 880 by 460 cm. Many connoisseurs of the artist's work agreed that the "Last Supper" can be seen best if you move 9 meters to the side and rise 3.5 meters up. Moreover, there is something to see. Already during the life of the author, the fresco was considered his the best work. Although, to call the picture a fresco would be wrong. The fact is that Leonardo da Vinci wrote the work not on wet plaster, but on dry plaster, in order to be able to edit it several times. To do this, the artist applied a thick layer of egg tempra to the wall, which subsequently did a disservice, starting to collapse just 20 years after the painting was painted. But more on that later.

In the photo "The Last Supper" in the refectory.

Artwork idea:

The Last Supper depicts the last Easter supper of Jesus Christ with the apostle disciples, which took place in Jerusalem on the eve of his arrest by the Romans. According to the scripture, Jesus said during the meal that one of the apostles would betray him. Leonardo da Vinci tried to depict the reaction of each of the students to the prophetic phrase of the Teacher. To do this, he walked around the city, spoke with ordinary people, made them laugh, upset, encouraged. And at the same time he watched the emotions on their faces. The author's goal was to display the famous dinner from a purely human point of view. That is why he depicted all those present in a row and did not add a halo over their heads to anyone (as other artists liked to do)

Pictured Sketch of the Last Supper

1. According to historians, the most difficult thing for Leonardo da Vinci was to write two characters: Jesus and Judas. The artist tried to make them the embodiment of good and evil, so for a long time he could not find suitable models. Once an Italian saw a young singer in the church choir - so inspired and pure that there was no doubt: here he is - the prototype of Jesus for his "Last Supper". But, despite the fact that the image of the Teacher was painted, Leonardo da Vinci corrected it for a long time, considering it insufficiently perfect.

The last unwritten character in the picture was Judas. The artist spent hours wandering through the most haunted places, looking for a model for writing among the downtrodden people. And now, almost 3 years later, he was lucky. In the ditch was lying absolutely down type in a state of extreme intoxication. The artist ordered to bring him to the workshop. The man almost did not stay on his feet and did not understand where he was. However, already after the image of Judas was painted, the drunkard approached the picture and admitted that he had already seen it before. To the author's bewilderment, the man replied that three years ago he was completely different, led a correct lifestyle and sang in the church choir. It was then that an artist approached him with an offer to paint Christ from him. So, according to historians, Jesus and Judas were written off from the same person in different periods his life. This once again emphasizes the fact that good and evil go so close that sometimes the line between them is imperceptible.

By the way, during the work, Leonardo da Vinci was distracted by the abbot of the monastery, who constantly hurried the artist and argued that he should paint a picture for days, and not stand in front of her in thought. Once the painter could not stand it and promised the abbot to write off Judas from him if he did not stop interfering in creative process.

Pictured is Jesus and Mary Magdalene.

2. The most discussed secret of the fresco is the figure of a student, located on right hand from Christ. It is believed that this is none other than Mary Magdalene and her location indicates the fact that she was not Jesus' mistress, as is commonly believed, but his lawful wife. This fact is confirmed by the letter "M", which is formed by the contours of the bodies of the pair. Allegedly, it means the word "Matrimonio", which means "marriage" in translation. Some historians argue with this statement and insist that Leonardo da Vinci's signature, the letter "V", is visible in the painting. In favor of the first statement is the mention that Mary Magdalene washed the feet of Christ and wiped them with her hair. According to tradition, only a legal wife could do this. Moreover, it is believed that the woman was pregnant at the time of her husband's execution and subsequently gave birth to a daughter, Sarah, who laid the foundation for the Merovingian dynasty.

3. Some scientists argue that the unusual arrangement of students in the picture is not accidental. Say, Leonardo da Vinci placed people according to ... signs of the zodiac. According to this legend, Jesus was a Capricorn and his beloved Mary Magdalene was a virgin.

photo of Mary Magdalene

4. It is impossible not to mention the fact that during the bombing during World War II, a shell that hit the church building destroyed almost everything except the wall on which the fresco was depicted. Although, the people themselves not only did not take care of the work, but also acted with it truly barbarically. In 1500, a flood in the church caused irreparable damage to the painting. But instead of restoring the masterpiece, the monks in 1566 made a door in the wall with the image of the Last Supper, which “cut off” the legs of the characters. A little later, a Milan coat of arms was hung over the head of the Savior. And at the end of the 17th century, a stable was made from the refectory. The already dilapidated fresco was covered with manure, and the French competed with each other: who would hit the head of one of the apostles with a brick. However, The Last Supper also had fans. The French king Francis I was so impressed with the work that he seriously thought about how to transport it to his home.

Pictured is the fresco of The Last Supper.

5. No less interesting are the reflections of historians about the food depicted on the table. For example, near Judas, Leonardo da Vinci depicted an overturned salt shaker (which at all times was considered bad omen), as well as an empty plate. But the biggest subject of controversy so far is the fish in the painting. Contemporaries still cannot agree on what is painted on the fresco - a herring or an eel. Scientists believe that this ambiguity is not accidental. The artist specially encrypted in the picture hidden meaning. The fact is that in Italian "eel" is pronounced as "aringa". We add one more letter, we get a completely different word - “arringa” (instruction). At the same time, the word "herring" is pronounced in northern Italy as "renga", which means "one who denies religion" in translation. For an atheist artist, the second interpretation is closer.

As you can see, in a single picture, many secrets and understatements are hidden, over the disclosure of which more than one generation is struggling. Many of them will remain unsolved.

The Last Supper is one of the greatest works of the Renaissance. And one of the most mysterious. Today, the best art critics are working on deciphering the symbols of the fresco. The editors of Interesting to Know have collected the most interesting guesses, versions and proven facts about one of the most recognizable works of Leonardo da Vinci.

"The Last Supper"

The famous fresco is located in the refectory church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (Milan, Italy). And it was ordered by the patron of the artist - the Duke of Milan Ludovic Sforza . The ruler was an adherent of an openly dissolute life, and the beautiful and modest wife Beatrice d'Este did not in the least prevent the young duke from living the way he was used to. By the way, his wife loved him strongly and sincerely, and Louis himself was attached to her in his own way. And after sudden death The duke's wife did not leave his room in grief for about two weeks. And when he left, the first thing he turned to da Vinci was with a request to paint a fresco, which his wife asked for during her lifetime. By the way, after the death of Beatrice, the duke forever stopped all kinds of entertainment at court.

Churches of Santa Maria delle Grazie (Milan, Italy)

Da Vinci began work on the fresco in 1495, its dimensions are 880 by 460 cm. Although, the painting should be called a fresco with a small caveat: after all, the artist did not work on wet plaster at all, but on dry plaster. This little trick allowed him to edit the painting multiple times. And taking into account the fact that The Last Supper was finally ready only in 1498, it was a technical necessity.

Already during the life of the artist, "the last meal of Jesus Christ" was considered his best work. According to the scripture, it was during dinner that Jesus told the apostles about the imminent betrayal. Da Vinci wanted to portray what is happening exclusively from a human point of view. And the emotions that the apostles experienced, he searched among ordinary people. By the way, it is believed that this is why there are no halos over the heroes. To portray the reaction to the words of the Master, he wandered around the city for hours, started conversations with strangers, made them laugh, upset and watched the changes in their faces.

"The Last Supper" in the refectory

The work on the fresco was almost completed, the last unwritten heroes were Jesus and Judas. It is believed that in these heroes the artist concluded the concepts of good and evil, and for a long time could not find models suitable for such absolute images. But one day da Vinci saw a young singer in the church choir. The young man made an indelible impression on the artist, and it was he who became the prototype of Jesus.

Judas remained the last unwritten character. In search of a model, the artist wandered for a long time through the haunts. Judas "should" become a truly degraded person. And only 3 years later, such a person was found - in a state of intoxication, in a ditch, absolutely down and dirty. The artist ordered the drunkard to be brought to the workshop, where Judas was written off from the man. When the drunkard came to his senses, he went up to the fresco and said that he had seen the paintings. Da Vinci asked in bewilderment when it was ... And the man replied that 3 years ago, when he sang in the church choir, an artist approached him with a request to copy Christ from him. Thus, according to the assumptions of some historians, Jesus and Judas were written off from the same person at different periods of his life.

Sketches of The Last Supper

During the work of the artist, the abbot of the monastery was often in a hurry, he kept insisting that the picture should be painted, and not stand in front of it in thought. Then da Vinci threatened that if the abbot did not stop interfering, he would certainly write off Judas from him.

The most discussed figure in the fresco is the disciple, located on the right hand of Christ. Presumably, the artist depicted Mary Magdalene. It is even believed that she was the wife of Jesus, and this is precisely what da Vinci alluded to by positioning her in such a way that the opposites of the body of Jesus and Mary formed the letter "M" - "Matrimonio", which translates as "marriage". However, other historians dispute this assumption, believing that the painting does not depict the letter “M” at all, but “V” - the artist’s signature. The first version is also supported by the fact that Mary Magdalene washed Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair, and according to traditions, only a legal wife could do this.

Jesus on the fresco "The Last Supper"

There are also curious legend that the apostles were arranged by the artist according to the signs of the zodiac. And if you believe this version, then Jesus was a Capricorn, and Mary Magdalene was a virgin.

An even more curious fact is that during the bombing during World War II, almost the entire building of the church was destroyed, except for the wall with a fresco. The people themselves, on the whole, took little care of the masterpiece of the Renaissance, and treated it far from mercifully. For example, after the flood of 1500, which caused serious damage to the painting, it was never restored. In 1566 in the wall "The Last Supper" a door was made that "crippled" the heroes of the fresco. And at the end of the 17th century, the refectory was converted into a stable.

Jesus and Mary Magdalene

Historians, by the way, disagree about the food depicted in the fresco. For example, the question of what kind of fish is depicted on the table - herring or eel - is still open. A number of researchers believe that this ambiguity was originally intended by da Vicni. The question is somewhat purely linguistic: in Italian, "eel" is pronounced as "aringa", and if you double the "r", you get a completely different meaning - "arringa" (admonition). At the same time, in Northern Italy, "herring" is pronounced as "renga", and in translation it also means "one who denies religion", and da Vinci himself was just like that. By the way, near Judas there is an overturned salt shaker, which has been considered a bad omen since ancient times, and the table and dishes depicted in the picture are an exact copy of those that were in the church at the time the picture was created.

If fate has thrown you into northern capital Italy, then the fresco of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is definitely worth a look. No wonder BlogoItaliano put her on the second line of the TOP list. Another thing is to get tickets to attend the Supper almost impossible if you don't know where and when to look. But before we talk about tickets, let's pay a little attention to the Masterpiece itself.

Of all the works of Leonardo da Vinci that have survived to this day, the fresco The Last Supper in Milan one of the most notable. And this is recognized even by those who are ready to tirelessly prove that its plot absolutely does not correspond to the events described in the New Testament. The point, however, is not in the plot and not in the views of the artist, which he allegedly wanted to reflect in the drawing, painting the wall of the refectory of the monastery Santa Maria delle Grazie…

Leonardo da Vinci: the genius of incompleteness

How much do you know contemporary artists who would be honored to work for the most senior persons at the age of 30? The high mortality rate in the Middle Ages is not an excuse, since it was mostly infants who died (if there were no epidemics), and at 50-60 years old, men did not look like such deep old people at all. Especially if they belonged to one of the 2 upper classes or chose the path of trade or craft.

Art in those years was also a craft - no better and no worse than others, and there was no shortage of craftsmen. Young, old, talented and not so much. Especially in Italy, where every more or less large city had its own school of fine arts.

Self-propelled wooden cart by Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo became famous by the age of 30 not at all as an artist, but as a mathematician and engineer. The era was restless: the Italian dukes went on close campaigns by no means with friendly visits. As a result, the demand for high-quality fortifications and armor-piercing equipment was decent, and in 1482 Leonardo was invited to Milan.

However, all city fortifications, as well as equestrian statue father of the Duke of Milan Lodovico Sforza, were never erected. Left unfinished and almost all paintings ordered by Leonardo the Duke and his entourage. Why?

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci: from conception to creation

Leonardo was interested in a new riddle. He decided to thoroughly investigate the patterns aerial perspective, according to which the further an object is, the more indistinguishable its true color becomes. As before, nature itself guessed this riddle for Leonardo. The artist creates a series of sketches and several paintings in which he first appears sfumato- light haze, fuzzy contours, soft shadow, which soon became feature his paintings.

Leonardo was also worried about the organization of space on the canvas - a linear perspective, and the problem of the "golden section". It was then (in 1490) that the famous drawing "Vitruvian Man" appeared, representing accurate calculations body proportions.

Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci

But the opportunity to move from theory to practice in three directions immediately presented itself only in 1494. It is this date that most researchers refer to as the starting date: The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, which existed until then only in the imagination of the artist, began to take shape on the monastery wall. The size of the fresco is 460×880 cm.

Work continued until 1498. Trying to make the figures more voluminous, and, therefore, more natural, Leonardo, carried away by the idea of ​​conveying the principles of aerial perspective on a static surface, paints the refectory not with tempera on wet plaster, as was customary, but with oil paints on ordinary, dry.

But this is nothing more than an experiment, albeit generously paid. The plot is secondary for the artist. The main thing is to recreate a harmonious space with the help of accurate calculations. “Believe harmony with algebra,” as another genius would write a few hundred years later.

Milanese monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie

According to legend, prior of the monastery Santa Maria delle Grazie constantly urged on by Leonardo, who, in retaliation, gave the features of Judas Iscariot a resemblance to the abbot. It is possible that this is just a legend: the Dominicans (and the monastery was precisely Dominican) were famous for their artists and knew the value of this work - both materially and temporally.

The Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci: victory and defeat of a genius

Leonardo's experiment was only partially successful: oil paints he soon had to correct with the same tempera. However, the palette of shades that makes the figures of the Savior and his disciples as natural as possible at a small distance, thanks to the genius of the master, remained unchanged.

But most of all, the artist's contemporaries were struck by the illusion huge space behind those sitting at the table, which was involuntarily transferred to the real space, absorbing its features and forcing the observers to feel literally inside the fresco.

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

The strength of the impact of this work on the viewer is such that even serious researchers, studying it, still do not take into account what lies literally on the surface, and delve into symbolism and plot. Although the stunning effect of the Last Supper is just the result of a huge work of the mind and cold calculation, a kind of equation based, nevertheless, on strict natural laws, which Leonardo followed all his life. Only? Everyone must find the answer to this question for himself.

How to see the Last Supper fresco

Not a single, even the most high-quality reproduction, can convey the full power of the genius of Leonardo, who solved and solved one of the most difficult riddles nature through the creation of a fresco The Last Supper in Milan. A fresco to this day adorns one of the walls of the refectory in Santa Maria delle Grazie at the address: Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie 2 | Corso Magenta, 20123 Milan, Italy (Centro Storico).

The church is open for visits daily from 7:30 to 19:00 (break from 12:00 to 15:00). On holidays and holidays Santa Maria delle Grazie welcomes guests from 11:30 to 18:30.

Access to the room with the fresco is strictly limited. And before that, you will have to buy tickets for visiting the Last Supper, allowing you to be in the refectory for 15 minutes.

By the way, everything is not easy with them: being one of the main attractions of Milan, the Last Supper is insanely popular with guests of the city. Tickets for it are sold out 2 months in advance, so the chances of watching the Supper "with a swoop" are very illusory. Tickets are not sold by hand either, which is strictly monitored by the security service.

Thus, for those who are just preparing for a trip to Italy and want to see the Last Supper with their own eyes, there is only one acceptable option - online booking.

Where to buy tickets for the Last Supper

The Last Supper has always been insanely popular in Milan, but when we first wrote this article [in 2013], tickets were still a bit easier. Now [in 2018], reviewing available ways to take tickets, we must admit that everything has become even more complicated.

Limiting the number of tickets on sale has led many operators to shamelessly inflate prices. It often comes to the point that travelers are willing to pay up to $100 for a ticket just to see the mural. Nevertheless, there are still several ways to get to see the Last Supper for adequate money.

Method 1: Weekend in Italy

A site where you can look for tickets without overpaying for an excursion is Weekend in Italy. Tickets can be found here quite often, because the site is the main supplier for many foreign agencies, but there are some peculiarities.

Tickets for the Last Supper here are only available as a bundle with another purchase. For example, you can combine your visit to the Supper with a ticket to the Brera Gallery, Leonardo's Atlantic Codex in the Ambrosian Library, or take the Milano Card for 24 hours. If you choose only the Last Supper, then the system is simply will not let you in to the stage of buying a ticket.

Since these sights are some of the most iconic in Milan, this is a great way to compose interesting plan all day long at once.

By the way, the Last Supper is far from the only attraction in Italy, tickets for visiting which should be booked in advance. In more detail about such places, we already recommend the article to everyone who wants to "take" from a vacation in Italy to the maximum.

Method 2: Excursion with a visit to the Last Supper

Another way to see The Last Supper is to do so as part of an English-language tour. So many foreigners do this, and not only Russian speakers. Because it is often much easier and cheaper to go on an excursion [albeit on English language], rather than buying tickets from resellers at inadequately inflated prices.

Look detailed description excursions and place an order for participation can be on this page.

What to do if there are no tickets for the desired date (addition of 2017)

When BlogoItaliano found out about such a critical situation with tickets, we contacted our familiar guide Oksana in Milan (review about her) and asked if something could be done so that BlogoItaliano readers could still get to view frexi even with such a rush for tickets .

And Oksana encouraged…

It turns out that she periodically helps travelers, booking a tour“In the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci”, get to view the frescoes. Moreover, it is often possible to get tickets even at the price of the box office. According to Oksana, she does not give a 100% guarantee of visiting the fresco, but for long years practice, she had only one case when tourists could not get inside.

If you were attentive, you probably noticed that we are talking about only about tickets in addition to the tour. But it's three o'clock excursion in Russian with one of the most sought after guides in Milan.

By the way, in addition to the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, the tour also includes a visit to another masterpiece of the master in the Sforzesco castle and his painting “Portrait of a Musician” in the Ambrosian Gallery. Well, for the most persistent admirers of the genius, Oksana also includes the Museum dedicated to the inventions of Leonardo in the tour.

You can contact Oksana to clarify the details of the excursion with her by e-mail or via the form feedback below.

A fresco is considered a recognized masterpiece of world art. Leonardo da Vinci "The Last Supper" in the refectory of the Milanese church of Santa Maria della Grazie. The artist chooses climax The Last Supper, when Christ says to the disciples: "One of you will betray me." The viewer reveals a complex inner world man, his thoughts and experiences.

Right in the middle of the rectangular table (it is this place that is considered honorable) Leonardo da Vinci places the figure of Christ, highlighting it against the background of a light doorway. He listens to the speeches of the twelve apostles, sitting on either side of him. Look at the face of Jesus, which for so long the artist did not dare to paint. Why is it so sad and calm? Maybe because he is well aware of the future fate? And he humbly ready to accept it?..

Yes, it is not the majestic divine image that is shown by the figure of the Savior, so familiar to us from many works of art, but the personification of love, mercy and meekness.

But what about the students? Each of them in his own way responds to the ongoing event, each has his own response to the words of Christ. Their faces, postures and gestures express almost all human emotions - from confusion to sadness, from surprise to anger, from disbelief to deep shock. Contrary to established tradition, Leonardo places Judas among his faithful and devoted disciples. Presented in a sharp turn, he looks at Christ with fear and convulsively clutches a purse with thirty pieces of silver. Its shaded, rough, ugly profile contrasts with the brightly lit lovely face John.

Yes, it is impossible to take your eyes off this fresco: it is so significant and beautiful. And it becomes clear why Leonardo da Vinci prepared for its creation for about twenty years, why he made so many sketches and sketches for it, why his work progressed so slowly. material from the site

On this page, material on the topics:

• The evolutionary teachings of Leonardo da Vinci

• The Last Supper Report

• Report of the Last Supper

Questions about this item:

• What are the features of the artistic embodiment of the plot of the Last Supper in works of art known to you? Compare them to each other.

• The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most famous images the last meal of Jesus Christ with his disciples. He began work on it in 1495 or 1496 and finished in 1498. This Renaissance masterpiece has been praised, studied and copied for more than 500 years, and the fresco itself is still on the wall of the Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery in Milan. Edition business insider talked about it with the historian and author of the book "Leonardo da Vinci and the Last Supper" Ross King.

  At one time the fresco was very popular

  Despite the fact that today da Vinci is known as the author of various inventions, manuscripts, drawings and sketches, it was The Last Supper that ensured his fame during his lifetime. According to King, this image immediately became very popular in Europe. “It was the most copied painting of the next century. Not only paint was used, but also marble, wax and ceramics. Everyone wanted to have their own version. Leonardo finally created the work he dreamed about and which brought him fame, ”he said.

  

  The composition is based on the rule of thirds. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

  The fresco depicts the reaction of the apostles to the words of Jesus: “And I tell you truly, one of you will betray me." King noted that da Vinci, like no one else, paid tribute to this episode. “He grouped the 13 figures in the image in such a way that each one stands out with its gestures, but does not detract from the overall effect,” the historian added. Each of the figures turned out to be unique and memorable, and all thanks to the details.

  Fresco miraculously managed to survive

  

  The Last Supper has survived bombings, dampness, and several centuries of environmental damage. When asked why this 15th-century image is still revered today, King replies that its preservation is almost a miracle. “A hundred years ago, it was considered lost forever. And after a recent restoration, we can appreciate its beauty. Even with some damage, this lovely picture”, he added.

  Several times The Last Supper was on the brink of destruction

  

  There have been many dangers in the history of the fresco. When King Louis XII invaded Milan in 1499, he intended to cut the image from the wall of the cathedral and take it with him. By the middle of the 16th century, the fresco was considered completely destroyed due to moisture and peeling paint.

  In 1796, the French again encroached on it. This time in the face French Revolution. Then the troops used the refectory of the monastery as their base and expressed their anti-church thoughts in front of the image.

  However, this is not all bad in his story. The city authorities used this room to hold prisoners. In the 19th century, some well-intentioned people tried to restore the fresco, but their attempt almost ended with the picture being torn into two parts. However, the most dramatic incident occurred on August 15, 1943, when Allied troops bombed the building. And although most of the church turned into a pile of rubble, the "Last Supper" remained unscathed.

  Everything started differently

  

  Da Vinci began work on the fresco at a very inopportune time. Just a year before the start of Project Ludovic XII started the First Italian War. “It was a terrible tragedy for Italy, the beginning of decades of occupation and struggle. For the artist, these events meant the loss of a commission on which he had been working for about 10 years - a huge bronze rider on a horse, ”says King.

  In those days, bronze was collected and melted down into weapon steel. Da Vinci not only lost money due to the war, but also the eventual fame and reputation in creative circles that he so badly wanted to achieve. As compensation, he received an order for The Last Supper, although for him it did not seem like a very good replacement.

  Da Vinci thought he would never create a masterpiece

  

  “Now Leonardo is considered a genius who can do anything. But he had his disappointments and failures. In 1499 he was 42 years old. Then many contemporaries believed that he wasted his potential. He was unable to complete several orders, as a result of which people began to consider the artist unreliable, ”comments the historian. One of the poets mocked da Vinci because in 10 years he hardly finished one painting. Therefore, he really wanted to create something that would bring him fame and reputation among future generations. He managed to get all this after the Last Supper.

  Da Vinci created a fresco on top of his early work

  

  So, one of the apostles recalls one of his early works. Da Vinci was always on the lookout interesting people that could be captured. According to King, one of them can be found in the image James Zebedee.

  "He spreads his arms and open mouth looks at bread and wine. Was there before beautiful drawing red chalk, created 5 years before. A similar posture indicates that in the place of the apostle there was a musician playing the string instrument. Leonardo was very fond of music and made a similar sketch. After 10 years, he used it for the figure of Jacob, ”continues King.

  Despite popular assumption, Mary Magdalene is most likely not in the image.

  

  For many years, there have been suggestions that Mary Magdalene is depicted to the right of Jesus, and not John the Theologian. However, King believes that this is not the case. “John the Evangelist was the youngest apostle who was always depicted behind Jesus - without a beard and slightly androgynous. Lenonardo adhered to this description, because it was such a man who was the ideal of beauty that constantly arose in his work, ”King notes.

  According to the historian, Mary Magdalene did occasionally appear in some of the paintings depicting the Last Supper. For example, italian artist Fra Beato Angelico, in one of the frescoes in the monastery of San Marco in Florence, shows her preparation for communion along with other apostles. Therefore, there is nothing surprising or strange in her appearances in such paintings. However, in this case, her image is not worth looking for.

  Like other hidden symbols

  

  “I am suspicious of the idea of ​​hidden messages and codes in Renaissance paintings. There are many things in them that we cannot understand or appreciate in 500 years, such as the gestures of the apostles. Each of them may have its own meaning, but we will never know it, ”King notes.

  He also advises not to take conspiracy theories in Dan Brown's novels too seriously. In his opinion, da Vinci only wanted to convey emotions and drama, and not some secret symbols. This is the obsession of our age, not his.

  However, the fresco contains several references to the life of the artist himself.

  

  You can forget about hidden symbols and encrypted messages, but this does not mean that there are no interesting details on the fresco. King believes that the images of the apostles are in many ways reminiscent of da Vinci's friends and his contemporaries, and the fresco can partly be considered an image of the entourage of Lodovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan and the customer. In addition, the tapestries in the fresco are reminiscent of the tapestries in his residence.

  Da Vinci depicts Jesus Christ as a vegetarian in a fresco

  

  Bread and wine during the Last Supper have for Christians special meaning. However, on the fresco, da Vinci added a few details that may seem strange today - pieces of eel on the grill. The artist himself was a vegetarian, so he added this to his painting.

  "The Last Supper" - the apogee of creativity of one of the most outstanding artists in the world