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Student Artwork Guide

Last Supper (copy)

Leonardo da Vinci

Name Class Date
Leonardo da Vinci, Last Supper (copy), Da Vinci Museum. Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Leonardo da Vinci wahooart.com/en/artists/leonardo-da-vinci/
Artist’s dates
1452 – 1519
Original size
418 x 794 cm
Movement
High Renaissance The brief peak when balance, depth and anatomy came together — Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo.
Held at
Da Vinci Museum wahooart.com/en/museums/da-vinci-museum-tongeren/
Notable elements
Betrayal of Jesus, depiction of apostles' reactions, perspective and depth.
Style
High Renaissance
Subject
The Last Supper

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Leonardo da Vinci died in 1519; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1589.

Source: WahooArt.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

Last Supper (copy) — Leonardo da Vinci Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Last Supper (copy) — Leonardo da Vinci

How big is it?

The original measures 418 × 794 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height. It is too large to draw to scale on this page.

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1450
  2. 1460
  3. 1470
  4. 1480
  5. 1490
  6. 1500
  7. 1510

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 67 at death.

Shaded: the lifetime of Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1487 Main working years: 1487–1506 Late works: from 1506

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: wahooart.com/en/art/similar/leonardo-da-vinci-last-supper-copy-8XZPBC-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Espresso #5f4735

    Catalogued palette

    • #5F4735
    • #EEDED3
    • #B78764
    • #211515

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Espresso
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Leonardo da Vinci over the last twelve months — 110 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 Italy 24.4%234,200 visits
    2. 2 France 21.8%209,300 visits
    3. 3 China 11.9%113,900 visits
    4. 4 Spain 11.1%106,900 visits
    5. 5 United States of America 4.0%38,200 visits
    6. 6 Germany 2.2%21,000 visits
    7. 7 Japan 2.1%20,000 visits
    8. 8 Hong Kong 2.0%19,600 visits
    9. 9 Singapore 2.0%19,500 visits
    10. 10 Brazil 1.3%12,100 visits
    11. · 100 other countries 17.2%166,100 visits

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Leonardo da Vinci

    1. 1 Mona Lisa (La Gioconda), 1519 43.5%533,600 visits
    2. 2 Vitruvian Man 7.4%91,000 visits
    3. 3 The Last Supper, 1495 4.1%50,800 visits
    4. 4 Lady with an ermine, Czart, 1490 2.4%29,600 visits
    5. 5 The Baptism of Christ, 1475 1.9%22,800 visits
    6. 6 The Last Supper, 1495 1.8%22,400 visits
    7. 7 Annunciation, 1472 1.6%19,700 visits
    8. 8 Lady with an Ermine, 1490 1.5%18,200 visits
    9. 9 The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, 1513 1.3%16,400 visits
    10. 10 The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, 1510 1.2%14,800 visits
    11. 11 The Last Supper, 1497 1.1%13,500 visits
    12. 12 Salvator Mundi, 1500 1.0%11,800 visits
    13. 13 Saint John the Baptist, 1515 0.7%8,000 visits
    14. 14 Virgin of the Rocks - London, 1486 0.5%6,700 visits
    15. 15 Baptism of Christ, 1475 0.5%6,000 visits
    16. 16 Portrait of an Unknown Woman (La Belle Ferroniere), 1490 0.5%5,700 visits
    17. 17 Madonna Litta, 1490 0.5%5,600 visits
    18. 18 La belle Ferronière, 1490 0.4%5,500 visits
    19. 19 Portrait of Ginevra de' Benci, 1474 0.4%5,400 visits
    20. 58 Last Supper (copy) this painting 0.1%1,800 visits

    Together these works take 72.4% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 548 works by this artist, of which 478 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 58 of them, with 0.1% of that attention (1,800 visits). The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: WahooArt.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

    Last Supper (copy) — Leonardo da Vinci Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Last Supper (copy) — Leonardo da Vinci

    A Timeless Vision of Faith and Betrayal

    This artwork is a meticulously crafted copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s *The Last Supper*, one of the most iconic and profoundly influential paintings in Western art history. It captures the dramatic moment when Jesus announces to his twelve apostles that one among them will betray him, unleashing a torrent of emotion and foreshadowing the events leading to the crucifixion. This reproduction offers an opportunity to own a piece inspired by a masterpiece, bringing its power and beauty into your home or collection.

    Decoding the Composition & Style

    The painting adheres closely to da Vinci’s original composition: Jesus is positioned at the center of a long, rectangular table, radiating calm amidst the burgeoning chaos around him. The apostles are grouped in dynamic clusters of three, each reacting with distinct expressions of shock, disbelief, anger, and confusion. Da Vinci's mastery of Renaissance perspective draws the viewer’s eye inexorably towards Christ, creating a sense of depth and realism. The style is quintessential High Renaissance – characterized by anatomical accuracy, balanced composition, and an intense focus on human psychology.

    Technique & Materials

    While the original *Last Supper* was executed using an experimental technique involving tempera on gesso, pitch, and mastic (leading to its unfortunate deterioration), this copy likely employs more traditional oil-on-canvas methods ensuring longevity and vibrant color retention. The artist has skillfully replicated da Vinci’s use of sfumato, a subtle blending of tones that creates soft transitions and an ethereal quality. The attention to detail in rendering the fabrics, faces, and architectural elements is remarkable.

    Historical Context & Creation

    Commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, between 1495 and 1498, da Vinci’s *Last Supper* was intended to adorn the refectory of the Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery. It marked a pivotal moment in art history, transitioning away from earlier medieval styles towards a more humanistic and realistic representation of religious narratives. Copies like this one became crucial for preserving the image as the original deteriorated over centuries due to environmental factors and experimental techniques. The Da Vinci Museum in Tongerlo, Belgium, houses several such copies, playing a vital role in maintaining access to this cultural treasure.

    Symbolism & Emotional Resonance

    Every element within *The Last Supper* is laden with symbolism. Jesus’ central position represents his divine authority and impending sacrifice. The bread and wine symbolize the Eucharist – the body and blood of Christ. Judas, often depicted clutching a bag of silver (the price of betrayal), is subtly positioned amongst the apostles, his face shadowed in darkness. Beyond the religious narrative, the painting explores universal themes of loyalty, betrayal, faith, doubt, and human fallibility. The emotional intensity captured by da Vinci – from Peter’s righteous indignation to John’s sorrowful contemplation – continues to resonate with viewers centuries later.

    A Statement Piece for Discerning Tastes

    For Art Lovers: A beautiful homage to a Renaissance masterpiece, offering an opportunity to appreciate da Vinci's genius in your own space.

    For Collectors: A valuable addition to any collection of fine art reproductions, showcasing historical significance and artistic skill.

    For Interior Designers: A striking focal point for dining rooms, libraries, or studies. Its classic composition and muted color palette complement a variety of interior styles – from traditional to contemporary. Imagine this piece as the centerpiece of an elegant dining room, sparking conversation and inspiring contemplation.

    This copy of *The Last Supper* is more than just a painting; it’s a window into history, a testament to artistic brilliance, and a powerful expression of human emotion.

    Source: WahooArt.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

    Last Supper (copy) — Leonardo da Vinci Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Leonardo da Vinci

    Born in Vinci, Italy

    The Boy from Vinci

    In the quiet hills near the village of Vinci, a child named Lionardo di ser Piero da Vinci entered a world that would never truly contain his restless mind. Born to a Florentine notary and a peasant woman, his very beginnings were marked by an unconventional path, as his illegitimacy meant he was not destined to follow in his father's legal footsteps. Instead, this freedom allowed him to wander into the workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence. It was here, amidst the scent of oils and the dust of marble, that a young apprentice learned that seeing was the highest form of understanding. He did not merely study the brush; he studied the way light clings to a curved surface and how shadow dissolves the edges of a limb.

    His early years in Florence were defined by this intense observation. He absorbed the technical rigors of metalworking, carpentry, and drawing, building a foundation that merged the physical with the cerebral. While others sought only to replicate what they saw, he sought to understand the mechanics behind it. This period of growth was not marked by a sudden burst of fame, but by a slow, methodical accumulation of knowledge that would later allow him to bridge the gap between the artist's eye and the scientist's inquiry.

    The Milanese Years and the Pursuit of Motion

    When the winds of political change blew toward Milan, Leonardo followed the service of Ludovico Sforza. This move transformed him from a talented painter into a multifaceted presence within the ducal court. He arrived not merely as an artist, but as an engineer and designer, tasked with creating fortifications and even theatrical stage sets. It was during this long residency in Milan that he began to grapple with the profound drama of human interaction. In the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie, he applied his observations of psychology to a large-scale fresco, capturing the precise, heavy moment of betrayal within a group of apostles.

    His mind during these years wandered far beyond the walls of the monastery. He filled notebooks with sketches of flying machines, advanced weaponry, and hydraulic systems, driven by a desire to map the hidden laws of nature. Yet, his ambitions often outpaced his ability to finish. A great equestrian statue, intended to honor the Sforza family, remained a dream of clay that was eventually shattered by invading French forces. This pattern of unfinished greatness followed him; he was a man who often found more satisfaction in the discovery of a principle than in the completion of a canvas.

    The Final Light in France

    A return to Florence brought with it a period of profound refinement. It was here that he worked on the portrait of a woman whose subtle, enigmatic expression would later haunt the halls of history. Through his use of sfumato, a technique where colors and tones blend so softly that they appear like smoke, he removed the harsh outlines of the world, creating an atmosphere that felt alive with breath and movement. His anatomical studies grew more precise during this time as well, fueled by his habit of dissecting cadavers to map the intricate architecture of bone and muscle.

    In his final years, under the invitation of King Francis I, Leonardo moved to the Château du Clos Lucé in France. Even as age perhaps slowed his hand, his intellect remained sharp, focused on the study of optics, geology, and botany. He died in 1519, leaving behind a legacy that was never truly finished, much like his many drawings. His life remains a singular example of what can be achieved when the boundaries between art and science are erased, proving that to truly see the world, one must be willing to study every shadow and every muscle within it.

    Museum

    Da Vinci Museum

    On show in Tongeren, Belgium

    A Sanctuary of Genius in the Heart of Tongeren

    Nestled within the historic charm of

    Tongeren, Belgium

    , the

    Da Vinci Museum

    serves as a profound tribute to one of history's most enigmatic and multifaceted minds. This sanctuary of intellect and creativity offers more than just a collection of artifacts; it provides an immersive journey into the Renaissance spirit of inquiry. As visitors wander through its halls, they are invited to step away from the frantic pace of modern life and enter a space where science, art, and engineering converge in a seamless dance of discovery. The museum acts as a bridge between the anatomical precision of the past and the boundless curiosity of the future, making it an essential pilgrimage for those who find beauty in the mechanics of existence.

    The architecture of the museum is itself an exercise in thoughtful design, blending the ancient heritage of Belgium with a contemporary aesthetic that honors the concept of structural innovation. The layout encourages a rhythmic flow, guiding guests through contemplative galleries where light plays across surfaces much like the shadows in a Renaissance masterpiece. Large, airy halls allow for the display of larger-scale engineering models, while intimate, dimly lit alcoves provide the perfect setting for studying delicate sketches and historical manuscripts. This intentional use of space creates an atmosphere of quiet reverence, ensuring that every visitor experiences a profound emotional connection to the themes of invention and artistry on display.

    The Essence of the Collection and Artistic Inspiration

    The heart of the museum lies in its meticulously curated selection of works that mirror the polymathic nature of Leonardo himself. The collection is a breathtaking tapestry of

    sfumato

    techniques and intricate anatomical sketches, alongside reconstructed models of legendary inventions that seem to defy the limitations of their era. Each piece is chosen to evoke a sense of wonder, highlighting the delicate balance between the organic grace of the human form and the rigid geometry of mathematical design. For the discerning collector or interior designer, these exhibits serve as a masterclass in composition and light, offering endless inspiration for those seeking to bring a sense of timeless elegance and intellectual depth into their personal spaces.

    What truly distinguishes the Da Vinci Museum is its commitment to ongoing dialogue through notable seasonal exhibitions that explore the intersection of classical mastery and modern technology. These rotating showcases often feature contemporary artists who reinterpret Renaissance motifs through digital media or sculptural installations, breathing new life into ancient concepts. It is this unique ability to honor tradition while embracing the avant-garde that makes the museum a cornerstone of Belgian culture. Whether you are an art historian seeking deep academic insight or a lover of fine aesthetics looking for inspiration for a curated home gallery, the museum offers an unparalleled experience of beauty, intellect, and enduring wonder.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Last Supper (copy)

    wahooart.com/en/art/download/leonardo-da-vinci-last-supper-copy-8XZPBC-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Vinci, Leonardo da. Last Supper (copy). n.d., Da Vinci Museum. https://wahooart.com/en/art/leonardo-da-vinci-last-supper-copy-8XZPBC-en/
    APA
    Vinci, Leonardo da (n.d.). Last Supper (copy) [Painting]. Da Vinci Museum. https://wahooart.com/en/art/leonardo-da-vinci-last-supper-copy-8XZPBC-en/
    Chicago
    Leonardo da Vinci. Last Supper (copy). n.d. Da Vinci Museum. https://wahooart.com/en/art/leonardo-da-vinci-last-supper-copy-8XZPBC-en/
    Harvard
    Vinci, Leonardo da (n.d.) Last Supper (copy). Da Vinci Museum. Available at: https://wahooart.com/en/art/leonardo-da-vinci-last-supper-copy-8XZPBC-en/

    Source: WahooArt.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

    Last Supper (copy) — Leonardo da Vinci Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Last Supper (copy) — Leonardo da Vinci

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: last supper, religious scene, betrayal theme. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) (1519), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. High Renaissance: The brief peak when balance, depth and anatomy came together — Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: WahooArt.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

    Last Supper (copy) — Leonardo da Vinci Part 5 · Look closely

    Art quiz

    Last Supper (copy) — Leonardo da Vinci

    How well do you know this artwork?

    Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

    1. 1. Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' depicts what specific event?

      • A Jesus' crucifixion
      • B The birth of Jesus
      • C Jesus’ last meal with his apostles before his betrayal

    2. 2. What was notably innovative about the materials Leonardo da Vinci used for 'The Last Supper'?

      • A He exclusively used traditional fresco techniques.
      • B He experimented with tempera on a prepared surface, allowing for revisions but contributing to deterioration.
      • C He utilized oil paints directly onto wet plaster.

    3. 3. The composition of 'The Last Supper' is designed to draw the viewer’s eye towards which central figure?

      • A Judas Iscariot
      • B Peter the Apostle
      • C Jesus Christ

    4. 4. What artistic movement is 'The Last Supper' considered pivotal in marking?

      • A Early Renaissance
      • B Baroque Period
      • C High Renaissance

    5. 5. Due to the experimental techniques used, what has been a significant challenge regarding 'The Last Supper'?

      • A Maintaining its vibrant colors over time.
      • B Preserving the original painting due to deterioration and damage.
      • C Transporting the artwork to different locations.

    My score: ____ out of 5

    Answer key — for the teacher

    This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

    1C · 2B · 3C · 4C · 5B

    Check any answer against the catalogue record for this painting

    Source: WahooArt.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

    Last Supper (copy) — Leonardo da Vinci Part 6 · Art quiz

    Questions & Answers

    Where does "Last Supper (copy)" sit within Leonardo da Vinci's body of work?

    "Last Supper (copy)" belongs to Leonardo da Vinci's High Renaissance work, whose recorded themes include renaissance ideals, biblical narrative, human psychology, patronage & power, da vinci's mastery, innovation in form, emotional depth, religious drama.

    Is a download available for "Last Supper (copy)"?

    "Last Supper (copy)" by Leonardo da Vinci can be downloaded from the artwork's Download page, as a high-resolution digital image download.

    Which artist is "Last Supper (copy)" attributed to?

    "Last Supper (copy)" is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.