Leonardo and the Last Supper

Ross King's historical account traces Leonardo da Vinci's creation of The Last Supper, one of Western art's most recognized works. The book follows the complex circumstances surrounding the mural's commission in 1495 and its completion in the refectory of Milan's Santa Maria delle Grazie. The narrative covers Leonardo's life during the painting's creation, his relationship with patron Duke Ludovico Sforza, and the technical challenges he faced with his experimental painting methods. King examines the political and religious context of 15th century Milan while detailing the artistic decisions behind each apostle's portrayal. Through extensive research and historical documentation, the book reconstructs the day-to-day process of creating the massive mural, from Leonardo's initial sketches to the final execution. The text addresses the painting's deterioration and subsequent restoration efforts across centuries. The work presents a portrait of artistic genius intersecting with political power, religious symbolism, and technological innovation in Renaissance Italy. It reveals the human story behind an immortal masterpiece.

Readers describe the book as accessible and well-researched, providing historical context about Milan, Renaissance art techniques, and Leonardo's life during the painting's creation. Many appreciate how King connects political and social elements of 1490s Italy to the artwork's development. Liked: - Clear explanations of fresco painting methods - Details about daily life in Renaissance Milan - Information about Leonardo's other projects and failures - Scientific analysis of the painting's deterioration Disliked: - Frequent tangents and side stories - Some repetition of facts - Too much focus on Milanese politics - "Dry academic tone" in certain chapters Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (450+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (200+ ratings) One reader noted: "King excels at showing how Leonardo's scattered interests and chronic procrastination paradoxically led to the painting's unique qualities." Another wrote: "Sometimes gets lost in minutiae, but the technical details about fresco painting are fascinating."

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🎨 The Last Supper mural was nearly destroyed during World War II when Allied bombs hit the monastery where it's located. Only sandbagging and scaffolding protected it from destruction. 🖌️ Leonardo used an experimental painting technique for The Last Supper that began deteriorating within his lifetime, forcing the first of many restorations to begin just 20 years after completion. 👨‍🎨 Author Ross King is a renowned art historian who has written several bestselling books about Renaissance masterpieces, including "Brunelleschi's Dome" and "Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling." 🍷 The wine glasses depicted in The Last Supper are historically accurate to 15th century Milan, demonstrating Leonardo's famous attention to detail and commitment to realism. 🎭 Each apostle in the painting displays a unique psychological reaction to Jesus's announcement of betrayal, reflecting Leonardo's groundbreaking interest in human emotional expression.