Da Vinci, Leonardo. Last Supper. 1498, Santa Maria della Grazie, Milan
Who Was Leonardo Da'Vinci ?
(Image of Leonardo Da'Vinci)
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was a Italian High Renaissance man who was a painter, architect, inventor, and a student of a variety of disciplines outside of what he is most known for, which would be his artworks. Specifically the "Mona Lisa" and "The Vitruvian Man". He is one of many artists that have used perspective to engage their viewers.
What Is Perspective in Art and Why is It Important?
Perspective is a technique that is used by artists and creators alike to pose the illusion of depth and a difference made between spaces. Although it should be noted that there are different forms of perspective that can be used that all serve the same purpose of giving depth to two dimensional supports. There is three types of perspetive techniques that are most commonly used:
Atmospheric which modifies color, hue and texture.
Isometric which is using diagonal parallel lines that create depth.
Linear perspective which is the last way of how depth can be created this relies on many lines that come to a point.
The last form of creating depth through perspective is primarily what Da vinci uses in his "Last Supper". This response will be guided in analysis towards The Last Supper, the analysis will be focused on techniques that were utilized by Da Vinci in regards to perspective along with the impacts and particular implications of the depictions made in the painting.
How Did Da'Vinci Use Perspetive In "The Last Supper"?
Da Vinic uses the mathematical principles of linear perspective which would be when there are parallel lines (up and down) , the horizon line (eye level to viewers), and a vanishing point which is when the parallel lines converge from the horizon line. The effect of him applying these principles to The Last Supper was that it created the focal point that being of Jesus Christ right in the center of the vanishing point while the other people on the side of him are the parallel lines that lead to that converge to him. Through also the illusion of the grandness of the building that they are all located would be that where the horizon line is to the focal point (Jesus Christ) showcases the large scale of the building. The Last Supper events historically had taken place in the (Cenacle) Upper Room above King David’s Tomb in Jerusalem. The place itself is considered to be one of the holiest places in the Christian faith and widely considered to be the first Christian Church through its up for debate as Saint Peter’s establishment of the first Christian church. Through if we are to discuss where the physical painting is located it would be located in Milan, Italy.
What is the impact of the use of Linear Perspetive?
How this work has affected some viewers on a spiritual level would be a sense of overwhelmedness, and wanting to be close to one's savior that being Jesus Christ if they follow the beliefs of Christanty. Furthermore, the fact that this was the last meal that Jesus had eaten before he sacrificed his life for mankind adds to a layer of emotional connection, faithfulness to one who is of the faith. Though it should be noted that one can still have a sense of appreciation for the painting’s complexities of the scene. Also it functions as a historical record of what had taken place that impacted human history drastically as it birthed one of today’s majorly practiced religions around the world. Although when it comes to how a viewer may see this painting would be that they would see the vastness of the building that Jesus Christ is in but then would focus their attention down to the vanishing point, that being Jesus. This emphasizes the importance of the role of Jesus Christ at that moment and the event that comes soon after at this point.
Last Thoughts
Leonardo Da Vinchi’s “Last Supper” is a classic in many ways and timeless in the skills that are needed to effectively use perspective to showcase scale and central figures of importance in a single painting that are seamlessly done. The impacts of this work are universal as it's not because of one sfath influencing the reacting then it would be the mastery of the artist and his brush to create such a piece.
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