Last Supper (1494-1499)
“The earliest technique for rendering a realistic perspective was pioneered by ancient Greek sculptors, who created vivid, realistic scenes in bas relief. The technique they used is now called "foreshortening," and it involved depicting figures and objects in a diminished scale (i.e., making them smaller) to suggest that they are farther away from the viewer. At the same time, by depicting objects and figures in an enhanced scale (i.e., making them bigger), these objects and figures were made to appear closer to the viewer. The visual effect of a truly three-dimensional perspective arose when ancient artists learned to diminish and enhance the scale of various objects and figures in one and the same work of art. This made certain, larger objects in the sculpted scene appear to be closer to the viewer while other, smaller objects in the same scene appeared farther away. These works thus achieved an artificial element of depth--the illusory distance between foreground objects and background objects--that we now refer to as "perspective." And this ancient Greek technique of foreshortening objects to create a sense of perspective eventually resurfaced in the sphere of painting during the Renaissance, where it quickly led to the development of full-fledged perspectivism.” - “Perspectivism” Nettonet
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” - Leonardo Da Vinci “Goodreads”
"One of its most notable qualities is the mixed emotions that are expressed between Jesus and his twelve disciples. There is tension among the Apostles, as well as agitation, yet Jesus remains calm and at peace." - “Last Supper” Encyclopedia Britannica
"Leonardo shortened lines to meet at a point, Jesus’ head, to make the walls appear as if they are concaving inwards, giving a sense of perspective." - “The Impact of Leonardo da Vinci Paintings” Davincilife
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” - Leonardo Da Vinci “Goodreads”
"One of its most notable qualities is the mixed emotions that are expressed between Jesus and his twelve disciples. There is tension among the Apostles, as well as agitation, yet Jesus remains calm and at peace." - “Last Supper” Encyclopedia Britannica
"Leonardo shortened lines to meet at a point, Jesus’ head, to make the walls appear as if they are concaving inwards, giving a sense of perspective." - “The Impact of Leonardo da Vinci Paintings” Davincilife
The Last Supper is elegant in its simplicity, yet incorporated many revolutionary techniques, including his use of foreshortening to create the influential illusion of depth and perspective in the work. This is a technique and process by making objects appear smaller in the distance, and larger in the foreground to give the sense of three-dimensional perspective (“Perspectivism” Nettonet). Jesus and his twelve disciples are positioned at the front and appear larger than the window towards the back. Leonardo revived foreshortening from the Greeks to further raise the standards of fellow artists of his time.