The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

art history · Renaissance · emotion · perspective

Painted in Milan. Leonardo created this enormous mural painting in the refectory (dining hall) of a convent in Milan, Italy, starting around 1495. It took him about three years to complete.

A moment of shock. The painting shows the exact moment after Jesus announces his betrayal, capturing each apostle's different reaction of surprise, confusion, and sadness in their faces and body language.

Master of perspective. Leonardo used sophisticated techniques to make the room feel deep and real, drawing your eye toward Jesus at the center. Artists studied this painting for centuries to learn how to create convincing depth on flat surfaces.

Complex emotions. Each of the twelve apostles shows a unique emotional response to the terrible news, from disbelief to anger to sorrow. This was revolutionary because earlier paintings showed people with less detailed feelings.

Most recognizable artwork. The Last Supper became one of the most famous paintings in the world, copied and referenced countless times in art, film, and popular culture.