Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me

July 23, 2010 - The Last Supper

We made it back from the glass blowing factory just in time to make our 15:15 appointment at The Last Supper. They are very strict about how many people they let in at a time to see the painting (only 25), and when you are all there (or even if you're not) and precisely on schedule, they let you into the first room, where they seal you in to control humidity levels. After a moment you are released and you all leave together to view the masterpiece. FABULOUS!!!

The Last Supper – the final days of Christ’s life. In John 13:21, Jesus announces to his apostles that one of them would betray him. The Last Supper is a depiction of that moment and the reaction of each of the apostles to that declaration.

I would love to give a history lesson on the piece, but am afraid I would lose our readers, although I find the piece fascinating and it’s history tragic.

I feel such gratitude at being able to see it before it is gone forever, because that is what time and the atmosphere will finally do to it. But, if we seal it up, if we prevent it from being seen, what would be the purpose of it’s existence? A catch 22???

The work began to deteriorate almost immediately after it’s completion, and bungled attempts at restoration and war and vandalism further damaged it.

It is a huge piece of artwork. I knew it was big, but was surprised and thrilled to see just how big. It measures 15 ft × 29 ft and covers the back wall of the dining hall at the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It took 3 years for Leonardo to complete the work, but he did not work on it continuously. In the 19th century, a manuscript written by Da Vinci was found with the order and names of each apostle; before this only Judas, Peter, John and Jesus were positively identified.

The painting contains several references to the number 3, which represents the Christian belief in the Holy Trinity. The Apostles are seated in groupings of three; there are three windows behind Jesus; and the shape of Jesus' figure resembles a triangle. There may have been other references that have since been lost as the painting deteriorated.

Two early copies of The Last Supper are known to exist, presumably the work of Leonardo's assistant. The copies are almost the size of the original, and have survived with a wealth of original detail still intact, so we know what the original would have looked like if deterioration hadn’t taken place.

As a believer in Christ, I can not begin to tell you how moving the painting was for me. They were thoughtful enough to provide - in almost chapel form - benches for contemplation and reflection. 15 minutes was not enough time for me, but time enough to contemplate the final days of Christ's life and to give silent thanks for his radical yet simple teachings that changed mankind forever. What a beautiful world it would be if we could all live by those teachings.