The Last Supper : Learn composition from Great Artists
73The Last Supper by Leonardo - My Take
It's useful for all visual artists to study old masters. Here, I tell you what I learnt from Leonardo's Last Supper. Not given to wild, wacky theories of conspiracy, I will just confine my comments to the area of art. And try to understand the master painter's composition.
Please click on the images at the right to view them big enough. Here goes:
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Leonardo Da Vinci (Last Supper) Art Poster Print - 24" X 36"
Price: $3.46
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The Last Supper: A Summer in Italy
Price: $8.60
List Price: $25.00 |
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The Last Supper
Price: $8.36
List Price: $14.94 |
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The Last Supper Wall Plaque
Price: $11.88
List Price: $27.95 |
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The Last Supper
Price: $5.76
List Price: $14.95 |
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The Last Supper Wall Hanging Tapestry
Price: $49.00
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The Last Supper
Price: $4.48
List Price: $9.98 |
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Jesus Christ The Last Supper Religious Picture Oak Framed Art Print
Price: $34.95
List Price: $119.00 |
Placement Tricks
1. The Position of Jesus
Jesus is placed right at the centre of the picture. Naturally your eye will fall on the central figure. He is also framed by the window to form a separate portrait within the painting. He is clearly separated from the apostles by grouping them in threes, while He is self-contained.
2. Chaos and Order
Utter confusion results when He says, "One of you shall betray me." Now, the painter has to show the confusion while maintaining order in the composition. What did Leonardo do? Each disciple has a dynamic pose, an attitude of inbalance, but each is a part of a group of three in tight composition. See for yourself.
Another secret that I noticed, that I haven't heard anyone mention, is the zooming in to Christ. It's like one of those photos you see where the zoom causes everything to be blurred, but the central figure. The lines of the beams in the ceiling, the lines of the murals on the walls, all zoom to Christ. Everything else is dynamic, while the Christ is peacefully still.
3. The Triangle of Christ
A triangle gives a subliminal effect of stability. It's like a pyramid or a cone. Here, Jesus forms a triangle, while the disciples form high-tension shapes.
4. What, No Halo?
Why didn't Leonardo draw a halo around Jesus? He did even better. He made it look realistic; there's nothing unreal in this picture. He placed the sun behind Christ's head.
Also, the vanishing point of the perspective lines in this picture is also Christ's head. Wherever your glance falls in the pictuire, it will be directed to Him. The perspective lines, some of the arrow like hands, glances of the others, all direct you to Him. Some spiritual message there? God knows.
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The Da Vinci Code
Price: $5.73
List Price: $9.99 |
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Journal of Inventions: Leonardo da Vinci
Price: $16.32
List Price: $24.95 |
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How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day
Price: $6.35
List Price: $17.00 |
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The Da Vinci Code - 1st Edition/1st Printing
Price: $14.00
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Leonardo's Machines: Da Vinci's Inventions Revealed
Price: $11.95
List Price: $24.99 |
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The How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci Workbook: Your Personal Companion to How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci
Price: $7.74
List Price: $17.00 |
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Leonardo: The Artist and the Man
Price: $12.95
List Price: $25.00 |
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Leonardo's Notebooks
Price: $16.22
List Price: $24.95 |
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Comments
I love this painting for many reasons. I'm delighted you hubbed it and I'm delighted to see it from a real artist's perspective.
Thank you, kind friends!
Violet, I'm hoping that everyone would start looking at paintings
from different angles, and thus find new ways to appreciate them. Yes, I teach, off and on. Hub pages help me reach out to more people, and that is very gratifying.
Iðunn, I'm delighted at your delight.
I'm encouraged to more hubs like these now!
oh! please do!
Surely, O Great Muse!
you are too kind. really. hehe. but if I might dare, could I put in requests off and on? my first... could you do "flaming june"?
It's more rewarding to do requests. Atleast I'll get one committed view and comment, hehe! Please do request more, while I do 'Flaming June.' Thanks a heap, Iðunn!
you are really thoughtful. :)
I might have lots of things I'd love to see from your perspective. (subtle warning) :p I shall try to stick with the true Masters though, when I make future requests since that was your stated direction.
and... thank you!
No, no, please feel free to suggest any you like; good for my education, too.
Great hub! This painting has long been one of my favourites! But your hub made me return to it yet again and look at the more subtle technicalities - its working innards! Illuminating!
Smiles and Light
Smiles and Light, Gemma! There's, of course, much more to this than what I showed here, but wasn't sure if I would bore my friends. And made a short hub.
Thank you!
Kenny, im not the religious type,but you always seem to make your hubs an interesting read..
:)
Ah, thanks, Compu-smart. Once I was an atheist, but I still loved this painting! :)
Your approach to this famous picture encourages me to ask a question.
If you have visited my hubs, you may have noted that I have interest in terracotta temples of west bengal.my question pertains to one panel i saw at bishnupur.
will you pl visit my related hub and http://www.flickr.com/photos/cshyamal/389912490/
and try to fathom if 3 figures in inner circle , 14 figures in the 2nd and 24 figures in outer circle have any significance.i have not yet found the answer.
best wishes
Sure Shyam, let me try! I atleast have the confidence of a child! Very useful!
Fantastic hub Kenny. Wonderful insight and tips! I, as has been previously stated, have never really contemplated that which made (or a part of) this piece of art so excellent.
You wouldn't happen to have Caravaggio lined up :P?
I'd love an overview of one of his paintings (they make me all tingly inside)
Thanks for the appreciation, Thooghun! And many more for the request, Fine, Caravaggio next! Keep coming with those requests!
Another outstanding hub, Kenny! Any chance of seeing some of the work of one of my favorites, Artemisia Gentileschi?
Sure, Colleen!
Will do her 'Judith and her Maidservant.' I have two more requests in queue, but will surely do it after that. And thank you!
I will look forward to it (as well as your others!) 'Judith and Her Maidservant' is one of my favorites. Thank you!
Please do, won't fail you! :)
Kenny
Awesome observations. I remember going to the little chapel in Italy to see the original painting, it was such a sacred experience. I especially love how you pointed out that all lines lead to Christ, who is the center. The light that is reflected from the sun in the window also reminds me that he is the Son of God. Isn't classic art fantastic? Thank you again.
Thanks for stopping by my Hub. Enjoyed your Hubs. Have a great day.
Thanks, In the Doghouse; how do I address you? Gimme some name. You are lucky; I haven't seen the original!
Moonlake, I enjoyed your yard greatly!
Okay, I'm now traveling through the ART hubs Kenny. LOL And this is a good place to stop and learn. Artists are indeed intelligent as well as perceptive. And if they are able to make the people who are watching the painting "feel" then they have (in my humble opinion) have succeeded far beyond anything. :) I like that...Christ peacefully still. He brings that peace to me esp. when I need it. :) Thanks Kenny.
Just what I believe: Art is art only when it moves someone.
Peace be with you, Michelle.
the Numerical tradition that is exploited by Leonardo da Vinci to make the divisions of this composition not only immediately significant to his audience, but also to create mathematical order out of the dramatic confusion of the Disciples
Yes, Anna. :)
VioletSun says:
2 years ago
I have never looked at art this way; you made me realize that placing the sun in back of Jesus head gave a sacred touch to the image of Jesus, among other details I wouldn't have paid attention to. Thank you for this hub and awakening the creative side of us with your other hubs. Do you teach art? If not, you would be a wonderful teacher!