I need help for writing essays for Composition 1.

Jun 1 2015

Word Count: 1112

Da Vinci’s Last Supper: An Overall Analysis

Despite our differences relating with others, dining together with our friends and enemies creates the avenue to address these issues. Through the use of tone, context, composition and purpose of the painting, Leonardo Da Vinci seeks to illustrate the event of The last supper when Jesus dinned with his disciples, one of whom was to betray him. The purpose of this painting was to build on the foundation of the events that transpired before the crucifixion of Jesus. Paintings have been widely used in expressing the reactions of artists on controversial topics. In this analysis, different aspects of the image are discussed that are directly related to the painting. The painting is based on a religious subject and people find it appealing because it creates the mood of the last suppers and is attractive as a work of art.

Fig 1. Vinci, Leonardo. The last supper

The painting is composed of thirteen men who are in a horizontal table and seem to be arguing or discussing an issue. The painting was done by Leonardo da Vinci, an, Italian, artist, mathematician, sculptor and painter. He was born in the 1452 in Vinci Italy and lived for sixty-seven years, passing on in 1591. He was an intellectual and most respected for being enduring artist, having being recognized through his best paintings The Last Supper and Mona Lisa. The painting stands at 15 x 19 feet (346.46 x 181.10 inches), which clearly indicates that it is a big but beautiful painting. The painting occupies a wall end at a Convent dining hall in Santa Maria Delle Grazie in Milan.

The painting portrays an anxious tone, depicted by the actions of the people in the painting. The painting is meant to communicate of the activities that took place during the last supper. Specifically, the painting is based on the time when Jesus said to the disciples that one of them would betray him. The painting portrays the disciples` reaction to the news; it is logically shocking that a friend would betray a friend even in the normal setting. The tone is therefore lighthearted for the perception of betrayal that Jesus was going to go through in the hands of one of his own.

The painting has different colors that are creatively embraced to portray the mood, plot and core purpose of the image. The event traces its roots back in ancient history; the artist uses brown paint on the garments of the people in the painting, which indicates the age of the painting. The people seem to be talking and not listening to a single person, which is an indication that the room might be noisy. There is a window that is behind the people, which looks like the source of light in the room, but the light is focused on one person who is at the center. The person therefore can be considered to be Jesus since he seems comfortable unlike the others.

The context of the painting is revealing to the audience about the activities during the meal. The painting however illustrates various actions from the people such as being aggressive, disturbed and puzzled. The painting, therefore, is not specific on what the people in the painting are saying and is open for the viewer`s discretion to form judgment on what might be taking place. The target audience for the painting is broad since it touches on a sensitive topic in the society being based on religious history. It is hard to define the target audience for the painting but however, it is important to note that being a religious painting, it is more appealing to Christians as well as art critics and admirers of Da Vinci`s paintings. The age, gender and other personal traits that influence judgment on the painting would not affect the perception of target audience.

The painting was hand painted by Leonardo da Vinci through tempera and oil and gesso. The painting is representative of the history paintings classified the Italian High Renaissance painting genre. The painting was originally done in a form that had not been implemented on fresco paintings when wet. The artist decided to seal the wall made of stone in order to look like a wooden panel using oil and tempera. The painting however began deteriorating from when it was completed leaving behind a glaring spot. Due to its captivating and creativity, a restoration campaign was run to bring the painting back.

The social context in the painting depicts the ancient time, which is the period that the painting purports to represent. The painting includes details such as the dress code including sandals and garments indicating the culture of the time. The painting therefore assumes the audience has some knowledge on the culture, value and way of life at the time of the event. The painting represents religious history, which the audience must acquire in order to understand the activities in the painting.

Though the men in the painting are in line, they seem to be discussing in groups while others are consulting, asking questions to the man at the center. In the background, there is an open window through which the environment can be viewed. Through the window, only mountains and far away land can be visible which indicates that the room may be at a raised ground similar to a top floor in a story building. The focal point of the painting is at the middle, which indicates that the viewer would be directly in front of the dining table.

The people in the painting are adults at their late age in life probably in their 30s or even older. However there are also some who look younger and at least one lady who is standing behind them. The people seem to be of the same tribe or precisely the same race judging from the light color of their skin. The people seem also to be from humble backgrounds in terms of their economic incomes based on their clothes, shoes and the simple food on the table. The people also are depicted as living simple lives but love each other since they look happy together.

In conclusion, the painting has been creatively done which enables it achieve its purpose. The painting clearly depicts the events, mood and probable reaction of the disciples after receiving the news about Jesus`s crucifixion. Judging from the events, people, activities and the setting in the painting, it is easy to understand the real event of The Last Supper for anyone who has heard about it before.