Of all famous paintings in the history of humankind, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper takes a very special spot, representing the pinnacle of both Da Vinci’s artistic development and the progress of the Renaissance era. Apart from being rife with multiple Biblical metaphors and incorporating a plethora of nuances, the art piece is also emblematic of an array of painting techniques that were groundbreaking at the time. The painting depicts the eponymous scene from the Bible, during which Jesus Christ shared His final meal with His disciples before His crucifixion.
The design elements of the painting are formally present, yet are not accentuated, allowing the art piece to shine with its harmonic beauty and emphasize its allegorical meaning. Specifically, the linework in the Last Supper is very elegant and careful, with every detail being outlined distinctively yet very delicately. In turn, the color scheme is quite varied, allowing us to embrace the complexity of the character of each disciple, as well as the tapestry of the Biblical narrative, in general. In turn, the depth is astounding, with the specifics of a three-dimensional environment being reflected in the painting impeccably (Lewis and Lewis 285).
The texture also helps to experience the scene shown in the painting on a very personal level since every detail remains distinct and has its unique texture. Finally, the tone of the painting is quite bright, yet several darker spots serve as the foreshadowing of the further development of events.
Da Vinci incorporated several principles of design into his painting. Namely, the symmetry of the painting leaps out as an obvious element of its structural framework. The harmonic distribution of elements on both sides of the said vertical axis introduces a sense of peace and meditative tranquility. Overall, The Last Supper deserves the title of the seminal work of the Renaissance era.
Work Cited
Lewis, Richard L. and Susan I. Lewis. The Power of Art. Cengage Learning, 2009.