<img class="alignnone" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Tintosoup.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="383" />

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Tintosoup.jpg

When you think of the “Last Supper” many immediately think of Da Vinci’s “Last Supper”. We aren’t always as familiar with other renditions of the last supper, one of which is Made by Jacopo Tintoretto. It’s a shame this picture is over shadowed by Da Vinci’s “Last Supper,” his art is very dynamic and truly embodies the ability of the Renaissance artist.<!--more-->

Tintoretto’s “Last supper” is a huge oil painting on a twelve by almost nineteen foot canvas. It was made between 1592-1594. Tintoretto painted the “Last Supper” several times in his life. This version can be described as the fest of the poor, in which the figure of Christ mingles with the crowds of apostles. However, a supernatural scene with winged figures comes into sight by the light around his head. This endows the painting with a visional character clearly differentiating it from paintings of the same subject made by earlier painters like Leonardo.(Kren) It depicts Jesus and all his disciples, Jude is thought to be on the opposite side of the table. Jesus and his disciples are displayed with glowing halo’s around there heads except Jude. Jude is displayed with a glowing back which I believe could symbolize “back stabbing” Jesus.

The painting of Tintoretto’s “Last Supper” is housed in Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. Tintoretto is described by Robert Hahn, “He was a devout painter, as we see in his great series of Last Suppers.”(Hahn) The painting is very dark and uses contrast extensively. Da Vinci’s “Last Supper” is bright and seems to use contrast less drastically. Da Vinci’s “Last supper” was painted on a wall and is very quickly diminishing; Tintorreto’s however is still preserved well because of his choice in paints and canvas. Both artists use perspective, one-point perspective   is a mathematical system for representing three-dimensional surface by means of intersecting lines that are drawn vertically  and horizontally and that the radiate from one point. (one-point) The two perspectives are completely different, Da Vinci’s you seem to be on the opposite side of the table as if you are a member of the party, while Tintoretto’s piece you are an onlooker into the room of which the feast is being held. Both pieces look very natural, but for completely different reasons Tintoretto for its , while Da Vinci’s natural look comes from the character’s reactions.  There is no disputing that both painters where masters.

Tintoretto in his day was very popular. He made many pieces and was a very successful artist. His art was typical of the renaissance because of the techniques he uses, like one point perspective and contrast. However this piece is very unique for the fact that there are slaves displayed in the same picture with Jesus and his disciples and even interacting with them. This is very strange to see in a religious painting, and thus why the picture gets its description of the fest of the poor. This piece was so successful many more renditions of the “Last Super” where made by his studio.  I feel this work really shows off the master’s ability and is very natural.

Tintoretto’s real name was Jacopo Robust. He studied Michelangelo’s works and was quickly recognized for his talent. His early works are often confused with Bonifazio Veronese’s, Paris Bordone’s, and Andrea Schiavone’s works. In his later works are much easier to describe as his because he works dramatically with light and shadows. (Tintoretto) The “Last Supper” was produced for the Scuola di S. Rocco. Tintoretto spent almost all his career in Venice, where he maintained a busy workshop producing a vast output of religious paintings, portraits, and a number of allegorical and mythological subjects.(Tintoretto (1518))

For future generation I believe it is important to preserve Tintoretto’s piece to compare the “Last Supper” and even preserve it. It will hopeful still be around when the Da Vinci’s last supper is no more and step up into the spotlight as an exeplaeraryu piece of art from the renaissance.

Works Cited

Kren, Emil, and Daniel Marx. "Tinterreto." <em>Web Gallery of Art, Image Collection, Virtual Museum, Searchable Database of European Fine Arts (1000-1850)</em>. Web. 06 Apr. 2011. &lt;http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/t/tintoret/5_1580s/3lastsup.html&gt;.

"Tintoretto." <em>Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition</em> (2010): 1. <em>Middle Search Plus</em>. EBSCO. Web. 6 Apr. 2011.

"Tintoretto (1518-1594)." <em>Hutchinson's Biography Database</em> (2003): 1. <em>Middle Search Plus</em>. EBSCO. Web. 13 Apr. 2011.

"one-point perspective." <em>Dictionary.com Unabridged</em>. Random House, Inc. 14 Apr. 2011. &lt;Dictionary.com <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/one-point%20perspective" target="_parent">http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/one-point perspective</a>&gt;.

Hahn, Robert. "A Witness to Tintoretto." <em>Southwest Review</em>. 192-212. Southern Methodist University, 2004. <em>Academic Search Complete</em>. EBSCO. Web. 15 Apr. 2011.