Leonardo Da Vinci was a man of many talents, who epitomized the Renaissance man – a polymath of bountiful curiosity for nature and science, one who craved knowledge and spouted out absolutely brilliant ideas. Even someone who may be unfamiliar with some of his more obscure work, has definitely seen a copy of his "Last Supper," one of the most famous and recognizable religious images of all time. Even at this very moment, is still being mass-reproduced onto mirrors, pillows, posters and countless other home décor; Also, a piece that has been studied endlessly by historians and others searching for hidden secrets that may lie beneath this masterpiece. Although the story represented in his piece had been done before him, Da Vinci truly captured it in a way that had never been done before. His impeccable use of the one-point perspective to draw the viewers to Christ's face, perfect balance of disciples across the table – each of who’s faces align to converge at the center, and unique rendering of distinguishable facial expressions is what makes his piece remarkable and worthy for preservation.

Da Vinci worked on The Last Supper from 1495 to 1498, and it was meant to convey the moment when Jesus tells those present at the Last Supper that one of them will betray him, as told by John. Da Vinci, constantly challenging typical painting techniques, decided to defy the usual frescoes' tempera-on-wet -plaster process, and paint it on dry plaster, which ended up devastating for future generations desperately trying to preserve it; Very little of the original pigments exist on this glorious mural that's currently displayed in the refectory of the Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Controversy even sparked up, calling the final restoration of 1999, more of a “repainting” rather than just a few additions to save it. (Fine) Perhaps the best look into the original details of the painting is found in a 16th century fine copy/ oil painting held in the Tongerlo Abbey in Antwerp, Belgium.
<p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.jaydax.co.uk/lastsupper/lastsuppertongerlocopyz.jpg"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.jaydax.co.uk/lastsupper/lastsuppertongerlocopyz.jpg" alt="" width="473" height="261" /></a></p>
(<a href="http://www.jaydax.co.uk/lastsupper/lastsuppertongerlocopyz.jpg">http://www.jaydax.co.uk/lastsupper/lastsuppertongerlocopyz.jpg</a>)

This painting is even known to be the beginning of a phrase in art history known as the High Renaissance, and he is renown as one of the main representatives for such a fantastic era in time. In Italy, this meant it reached it’s peak and maturation of Renaissance art, and is characterized by an explosive production of artistic genius, which also included the works of Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian. During this time in history, the printing press was also invented so brilliant ideas were more widespread and prints of works could be sold and even travel increased throughout the land, thus making artwork become worldly known. This revival in an interest of ancient Greece or Rome, came to house artwork of perfect harmony and balance in imagery, display of great knowledge in classical art, and showed the world as it truly is through expertise in technique. In a time of Humanism, we see in his piece, the viewer gets a sense he is also eating amongst Jesus himself. It was typical of it’s time in that, artwork characterized as “High Renaissance” art included: increase in naturalism, a light source, order and construction in the composition, a lack of halos as shown in Early Renaissance images, and were not so dependent on the royalty or the church any longer - rather they gained commission from other private arrangements. (Werbel)

Another highly regarded work of the High Renaissance, was Raphael’s fresco “School of Athens” completed in 1511. This piece currently stands proudly as decor in the Stanza della Segnatura, in the Vatican.
<p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.mezzo-mondo.com/arts/mm/classical/RAF001_L.jpg"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.mezzo-mondo.com/arts/mm/classical/RAF001_L.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
(<a href="http://www.mezzo-mondo.com/arts/mm/classical/RAF001_L.jpg">http://www.mezzo-mondo.com/arts/mm/classical/RAF001_L.jpg</a>)

It features many of the ancient Greek masters, which included Raphael and a few of his contemporaries, most of which are debating amongst each other.  It is a tribute to the monumental greatness to those within his painting. (Scottman) This image is also special, because during this time, there was a great emphasis on arts in education, so aside from the wise thinkers communicating, there were others simply writing or drawing. Unlike, the Last Supper, which is a direct visual narration of a story told in the Gospel of John; the School of Athens, shows great thinkers and philosophers that have existed and did not show one person from a church or saint as previous paintings typically depicted. Although, Leonardo did not do this simply to glorify God as Medieval art production mostly entailed; rather, on commission by the Duke of Milan who wanted that particular scene conveyed by Leonardo. The School of Athens held a solid, even light source, as The Last Supper did. The School of Athens also displays Humanism in that the artists are within the same room as all of the spectacular philosophers, although elevated. It also had a vanishing point, to create a feeling of infinity as The Last Supper one-point perspective gave us a similar welcoming center. As The Last Supper shows a very personal emotion in the reactions of the disciples, The School of Athens, for example, has Plato and Aristotle discussing life and truth. It shows Plato pointing upward, perhaps meaning where we get our wisdom from lies in another Divine form, while Aristotle pointing downwards, could mean we find truth in direct observation. (Jewell)

The Last Supper is a crucial piece for preservation because it represents a time in the history where we no longer needed to render images of Jesus, saints and holy beings as unrealistic or abstract. Leonardo created realistic characters for the Last Supper, heavily influenced by Humanism in efforts to give more credit to human mind. The subject matter and theme depended upon the man who commissioned Leonardo for such a task, but this artwork represents an era of incredibly gifted people who deserve to have their works stand forever in time.

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<p style="text-align: center">Works Cited</p>
Cox, Stephanie. “Raphael’s School of Athen’s painting.” <em>Classical Art History.</em> 30. June. 2008. Web. 3. April. 2011. &lt;<a href="http://www.suite101.com/content/raphaels-school-of-athens-a58854">http://www.suite101.com/content/raphaels-school-of-athens-a58854</a>&gt;

Fine, Mary. “Da Vinci.” <em>European/ Northwest Studies Page.</em> n.d. Web. 3. April. 2011. &lt; <a href="http://www.ihs.issaquah.wednet.edu/teachers/fine/da_vinci.htm">http://www.ihs.issaquah.wednet.edu/teachers/fine/da_vinci.htm</a>&gt;

Jewel, Richard. “Elements of Art.” <em>Experiencing the Humanities. 2</em>4. Aug. 2002. Web. 4. April. 2011. <a href="http://www.tc.umn.edu/~jewel001/humanities/book/9elements.htm">http://www.tc.umn.edu/~jewel001/humanities/book/9elements.htm</a>

Scottman, Isabella. “Individualism, Secularism and Humanism During the Renaissance” Nov. 2008. Web. 3. April. 2011. &lt;<a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1180368/individualism_secularism_and_humanism.html?cat=37">http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1180368/individualism_secularism_and_humanism.html?cat=37</a>&gt;

Werbal, Amy. “High Renaissance.” <em>Saint Michael’s College.</em> n.d. Web. 3. April. 2011. &lt;<a href="http://academics.smcvt.edu/awerbel/Survey%20of%20Art%20History%20II/High%20Renaissance.htm">http://academics.smcvt.edu/awerbel/Survey%20of%20Art%20History%20II/High%20Renaissance.htm</a>&gt;

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