The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci (1495-1498)
What we learned-
- The Last Supper, like many religious works of the Renaissance period, was commissioned for patron Duke Ludovico Sforza and his duchess Beatrice d’Este to be used as a personal altar piece in their home.
- da Vinci depicts the Biblical scene in which Jesus tells his disciples that one of them will betray Him. (Matthew 26:21) Judas is seen clutching a bag of coins while reaching for a piece of bread as the rest of the disciples react in shock.
- da Vinci utilizes the divine number 3 in The Last Supper by grouping the disciples into groups of three and positioning three windows behind the table.
- Especially for 3rd graders: da Vinci utilizes one-point perspective with the vanishing point where Jesus is seated so that all lines (octagonals) lead into Him.
Discussion Questions:
- What do the three windows and where Jesus is placed in their context represent?
- What techniques does da Vinci use to draw your attention to Jesus?
- Find out “who is who” amongst the disciples! How did da Vinci portray them to communicate pieces of their character?
