Page 76 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Milan & The Lakes

74  MILAN AREA B Y AREA

Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper

This masterpiece was painted for Lodovico il Moro in
the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie in 1495–7.
Leonardo depicts the moment just after Christ has
uttered the words, “One of you will betray me”. The artist
captures their amazement in facial expressions and
body language in a remarkably realistic and vivid
Last Supper. It is not a true fresco, but was painted in
tempera, allowing Leonardo more time to achieve
the subtle nuances typical of his work. The room was Jesus Christ
used as a stable in the Napoleonic era and was badly The isolated, serene figure of
damaged by bombs in 1943. Fortunately, the work Christ contrasts with the agitated
Apostles. Half-closed lips show he
was saved because it was protected by sandbags. has just spoken.

The Last Supper
is famous for the
gesturing hands of
the Apostles, which
are so harmonious and
expressive that critics
have said they “speak”.

Judas
Unable to find a truly evil
face for Judas, Leonardo The Apostle Andrew,
drew inspiration from that with his arms upraised,
of the prior in the convent, expresses his horror at
who kept on asking when Christ’s words.
the work would be finished.

The Crucifixion by Montorfano
The Dominicans asked Donato
Montorfano to paint a fresco of the
Crucifixion on the opposite wall to
depict Christ’s sacrifice. In this
dense composition the despairing
Magdalen hugs the cross while the
soldiers on the right throw dice for
Christ’s robe. On either side of the
work, under the cross, Leonardo
added the portraits – now almost
invisible – of Lodovico il Moro, his
wife Beatrice and their children,
signed and dated (1495).

074-075_EW_Milan.indd 74 20/10/16 3:19 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm