Fine Canvas Art Blog

This is a reproduction of the Master’s Last Supper in a restored state.  The restoration was done in the 16^th century and is an oil painting.  It captures many details which have been lost in the original fresco at the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.  The fresco was originally commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, duke of Milan, and was completed in 1498.  The work is not a true fresco in that Leonardo sealed the stone with resin and gesso and then painted in tempera.  Within a few years the work began to deteriorate due to the instabilities of the artist’s formula.  Restorations have been attempted since 1726.  This early reproduction of the masterpiece captures many details which have been subsequently been lost in the original.  This reproduction is housed in the Da Vinci Museum in Tongerlo, Belgium.