The Last Supper in painting: a journey through spirituality and art

The Last Supper is one of the most depicted themes in the history of art, a subject that has fascinated artists of all ages for its profound religious and narrative value. The scene, taken from the Gospels, depicts the moment when Jesus announces the betrayal of one of his apostles and institutes the Eucharist. Among the many interpretations of this episode, the works of three great masters stand out: Beato Angelico, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Leonardo da Vinci, whose versions of the Last Supper continue to inspire believers and art lovers alike.

Beato Angelico: The Last Supper as a celestial vision

Beato Angelico, the great painter of the early Renaissance, depicts the Last Supper with a strong spiritual and contemplative imprint: his version, located in the convent of San Marco in Florence, is characterised by an atmosphere of absolute peace and harmony. The simple composition, with delicate colours and figures bathed in a mystical aura, expresses his vision of faith as contemplation and prayer. In his work, the apostles do not show excited gestures but are gathered in an attitude of humility and devotion. Beato Angelico thus emphasises the sacredness of the moment, placing Jesus at the centre as the focus of light and spirituality.

Ghirlandaio: realism and narration in Renaissance Florence

Domenico Ghirlandaio, active in 15th century Florence, painted his Last Supper in the refectory of San Marco and Ognissanti: his interpretation is more narrative and detailed, enriched with architectural and decorative elements typical of the Florentine Renaissance. Ghirlandaio pays great attention to the realistic rendering of the figures and environments: the apostles, with lively expressions and natural gestures, seem to converse with each other while Jesus pronounces his words. The landscape through the windows and the details of the panel make the scene extraordinarily tangible and close to the everyday life of the time.

Leonardo da Vinci: the masterpiece of the Last Supper

Of all the versions of the Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci's is undoubtedly the most famous: painted between 1494 and 1498 in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, this work completely revolutionised the representation of the theme. Leonardo abandoned the static nature of previous interpretations and introduced an unprecedented dynamism: the apostles react with intense gestures and movements to the announcement of the betrayal, creating a perfect balance between psychological expression and geometric composition. The experimental technique adopted by Leonardo, however, made the fresco particularly fragile, leading to its rapid deterioration over time. Despite this, the painting continues to be one of the most studied and admired works in the world, a symbol of the Tuscan artist's genius.

The different interpretations of the Last Supper reflect not only the artistic sensitivity of their authors, but also the cultural and religious context of each era.Today, thanks to Bottega Tifernate's reproductions, it is possible to bring these extraordinary works of art into one's home, allowing anyone to admire their beauty and spiritual significance. Each reproduction retains the magic of the original, offering a bridge between past and present, between art and faith.