Where is the Last Supper by Leonardo?
The Last SupperThe Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper is located in Milan, Italy. It is a monumental mural painting situated within the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. This High Renaissance masterpiece was created between approximately 1495 and 1498 for the religious community of the convent.
The work is a massive composition measuring 460 cm by 880 cm. Leonardo utilized an experimental technique of tempera on gesso, pitch, and mastic rather than traditional fresco to allow for greater detail and revisions. This specific method contributed to the painting's vulnerability and the need for extensive restoration efforts over the centuries.
The painting captures the intense psychological drama following Christ's announcement of a betrayal. Key technical aspects include:
- Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
- Movement: High Renaissance
- Subject: The final meal of Jesus and his twelve apostles
- Dimensions: 15 ft 1 in × 28 ft 10 in (460 cm × 880 cm)
Which building houses this masterpiece?
Church Santa Maria delle GrazieQuick facts Church Santa Maria delle Grazie (also known as Santa Maria delle Grazie, SMdLG, Basilica di Santa Maria della Grazie and Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie) is a church and Dominican convent in Milan, Italy.
The masterpiece is housed in the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Specifically, the painting occupies the wall of the refectory, the dining hall of the Dominican convent. This site is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having earned this status in 1980.
The commission was originally part of a renovation plan by Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan. Sforza intended the church to serve as a family mausoleum. The refectory wall where the work resides is a significant architectural feature of the convent complex.
The building serves as a major cultural landmark containing several notable works:
- The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
- Frescoes by Gaudenzio Ferrari
- Architectural works by Bramante
What is the specific address of the painting?
Santa Maria delle GrazieSanta Maria delle Grazie
The specific address for viewing The Last Supper is the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy. Visitors must navigate to this Dominican convent to see the mural in its original architectural context on the end wall of the dining hall.
Because the work is a delicate and highly protected site, access is strictly managed. The painting is a permanent fixture of the convent's collection. It remains one of the most reproduced religious paintings in history due to its profound depiction of human emotion and masterful use of one-point linear perspective.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of the mural?
The mural measures 460 cm by 880 cm.
Who commissioned the artwork?
The work was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza.
When was the mural created?
The work was created between 1495 and 1498.
What medium was used for the painting?
The medium is tempera on gesso, pitch, and mastic.
Learn more
- 1452 – 1519Leonardo da VinciExplore the genius of the master behind this iconic Renaissance masterpiece.
- Leonardo da Vinci · 1497The Last SupperDiscover the fascinating history and intricate details of this legendary work.
