The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci
The painting 'The Last Supper' by Leonardo Da Vinci took seven years to
complete and all the figures, apostles and Jesus Christ, were painted from
live models and there is a thought provoking story that goes with it. It may be true or it may be not!
Jesus was chosen first, a young man of nineteen and Da Vinci took six months of
painting before he was satisfied. Over the next six years other characters
were added with just one space left, that of Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, and
Da Vinci searched hard for a person who he considered to have the looks of such
a person who could betray his best friend.
Finally he found him, a prisoner in a dungeon in Rome facing a death penalty
for murder and other crimes. He was unkempt and had a face that displayed a
character of viciousness and greed.
Da Vinci worked on him for monthsuntil at last he finished and told the guards
to take him away for the last time. Suddenly the prisoner broke free from his
guards. And rushed up to the artist. "Don't you know who I am."
"No I don't know you," answered Da Vinci. "I'd never seen you until you were
brought from your dungeon that first time."
"Oh God, have I fallen that low." The prisoner cried. "Look at me again, I am
the same person you painted just seven years ago. I modelled for Jesus
Christ."
Written and contributed by Pauleen Street.
