10 Fascinating Facts About The Last Supper
Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper is not a fresco, a fact that explains both its detailed beauty and its centuries of deterioration. Painted between 1495 and 1498 in Milan's Santa Maria delle Grazie, Leonardo rejected the traditional wet plaster fresco technique, instead using tempera paints on a dry, sealed wall. This allowed him to work slowly and make revisions, but the experiment ultimately failed, causing the paint to begin flaking within two decades of its completion.
1. It's not a fresco, and that's a problem
Traditional fresco painting involves applying pigments to wet plaster, which fuses the paint to the wall as it dries. Leonardo, a notorious perfectionist, wanted more time to refine his work. He opted to paint with tempera on a double layer of gesso, pitch, and mastic on the dry refectory wall. This experimental technique allowed for incredible detail but was not durable. The paint failed to adhere properly to the wall, and deterioration began just a few years after it was finished.
2. It measures a massive 4.6 by 8.8 metres
The Last Supper is an enormous mural, covering the entire end wall of the dining hall (refectory) at the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Its full dimensions are 460 cm by 880 cm (15 by 29 feet). Because of its size and the fact it is painted directly onto the wall, it has never been moved and cannot be displayed in a traditional museum.
3. It miraculously survived a WWII bombing
On August 15, 1943, an Allied bomb struck the monastery, destroying the roof and most of the refectory. Miraculously, the wall holding The Last Supper remained standing, protected by sandbags and scaffolding that had been erected to safeguard it. The painting was exposed to the elements for several months while the convent was rebuilt around it.
4. A doorway was cut into the painting
In 1652, with little regard for the artwork, monastery officials decided to enlarge the doorway in the wall below the painting. This construction removed a section of the mural that included Jesus' feet, which early copies suggest were in a position symbolising his forthcoming crucifixion. The doorway remains there today.
5. Napoleon's troops used it for target practice
During the Napoleonic Wars at the end of the 18th century, French troops occupied Milan. They used the refectory as a stable and armory. The soldiers are reported to have amused themselves by throwing rocks at the painting and using the apostles for target practice.
6. Leonardo used a hammer and nail for perspective
To achieve the painting's incredible sense of depth, Leonardo hammered a nail into the wall at the central point of the composition (Jesus's head). He then tied strings to this nail to create lines that helped him guide his hand, ensuring all the architectural and compositional angles would recede perfectly to a single vanishing point. This makes it a masterclass in one-point perspective.
7. The most recent restoration took 21 years
The painting has undergone numerous restorations, but the most scientific and extensive began in 1978 and was completed on May 28, 1999. Led by restorer Pinin Brambilla Barcilon, the team painstakingly removed layers of dirt, grime, and overpainting from previous failed attempts to reveal Leonardo's original work. It's estimated that very little of the original paint remains today.
8. It was commissioned as part of a mausoleum
The mural was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan and Leonardo's patron. Sforza was renovating the Santa Maria delle Grazie complex with the intention of turning it into a grand family mausoleum. The Sforza coat of arms can be seen in the three lunettes (semicircular spaces) above the mural.
9. There are three early copies in existence
Because the original began to deteriorate so quickly, several early copies were made. Three notable versions, likely painted by Leonardo's assistants, survive and have helped historians and restorers understand what the original looked like. One of the best-preserved copies is a full-scale oil on canvas by Giampietrino, which is now in the collection of the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
10. Judas is clutching a bag of silver
Leonardo depicted the dramatic moment right after Jesus announced that one apostle would betray him. Each disciple reacts with a different emotion. Judas Iscariot, recoiling in the shadows, is shown clutching a small bag, representing the 30 pieces of silver he was paid for his betrayal. He has also knocked over a salt cellar, an omen of bad luck.
Frequently asked questions
Why is The Last Supper so famous?
The Last Supper is famous for its masterful composition, psychological complexity, and capturing the raw human emotion of the twelve apostles at the moment Jesus announces his betrayal. Leonardo da Vinci's innovative use of perspective and dramatic focus made it one of the most iconic and reproduced artworks in history.
How long did it take to paint The Last Supper?
Leonardo da Vinci worked on The Last Supper for approximately three years, from around 1495 to 1498. He did not work on it continuously, often pausing for long periods, which was one reason he chose a slower-drying paint over traditional fresco techniques.
Where is the original Last Supper painting?
The original Last Supper mural is located on the wall of the refectory (dining hall) of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. It remains in the location for which it was painted and has never been moved.
Ready to witness this fragile masterpiece for yourself? The only way to see it is to book tickets in advance due to strict visitor limits, or join one of our guided tours to uncover more of its secrets.