Art Analysis: The Last Supper By Tiziano Vecellio

The Last Supper This version of The Last Supper done by Tiziano Vecellio, better known as Titan is a more modern approach to the original mural done by Leonardo Da Vinci. This exquisite oil on canvas fresco painting was done in 1550-55 and is sponsored by Paul and Susan Rutledge, Christopher Columbus Society Patrons. Titan often made several versions of his works with minimal variations, but this artwork was made courtesy of the 14th duke of Italy. This painting is a reduced version of the work they made for Phillip the seconds refectory at the monastery of El Escorial in Spain. There was another version at the Pinacoteca Di Brera in Milan. Giorgio Vasari in his “Life of The Artist” mentions yet another is now lost. This painting is a visual

There is a gold halo around Jesus’ head and also his skin is lighter, and he has harsher lines around his figure which makes him stick out. Titan uses light and shadows to make Jesus the focal point, making the apostles darker in color and Jesus lighter. There are triangles that make up the tile on the floor, and if you look closely there are small diamond shapes on the table cloth which also are implied texture to make it appear the way a designed table cloth would. There are geometric and organic shapes of all kinds in this painting. Some of the shapes and lines have soft edges while some have hard edges. The dogs fur and the weave of the basket also have implied texture. There are harsh lines and shading in the apostles clothing to make it appear they have rolls in their clothes the way it would if you were sitting down. This painting looks more like a picture that was taken rather than a painting because the immaculate little details. The mood is very calming to me yet sad; it makes me feel like I am sitting their having this last meal with them

The meaning goes further than just another beautiful painting. This was the last meal before Jesus was crucified, the mood is just that. This is also the night Jesus announced that one of his apostles would deny him three times. To believers in Christ, this painting is invaluable. This gives me insight to what the last supper may have actually looked like. This relates to me on a personal level because I do believe in Jesus and to see a painting of what it could have looked like makes me feel like I just stepped back in history and was there. Almost everyone, believer or not, knows the story of Jesus. If you have ever attended Sunday school at church you’ve seen this painting, probably just somewhat different in movement and color. I feel like I am in complete serenity when I look at it because my eyes go straight to Jesus. There are some symbols that I think may represent something, like the white collars around the necks and sleeves of some of the apostles, maybe meaning some were richer than others or had more importance. If you have ever experienced communion the bread on the table represents a symbol of the body of Christ, and the wine represents a symbol of the blood he shed. I think Titan wanted to tell the story of the last supper in a more modern way, but also keeping the same elements