This work of art is a direct adoption of the mural painting by Leonardo Da Vinci finished in 1498 in the refectory of Santa Maria della Grazie in Milan. Though it simplifies the skilfully calculated architectural perspective and the subtly distributed lighting, we do find the extraordinary construction of the foreground, and, above the long horizontal table, the distribution of the apostles in four groups, one on either side of Christ. The latter, with his arms opened wide, the right hand open above the table in the same way as the gesture of Madonna of the Rocks, the left hand turned upwards incarnates the pyramid structure characteristic of works by Leonardo since Adoration of the Magi of Florence and here represents the pivotal point of the whole composition. Each group of apostles shows a range of gestures, attitudes, emotions and colours as a result of the announcement that Jesus had just made about the treason committed by one of them.
Source:
http://en.musee-renaissance.fr/object/last-supper
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