Evidence Performed by Leonardo da Vinci

  • Name
    The Last Supper Mural Production
  • Description

    Commissioned to decorate the refectory wall of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Rejecting standard wet fresco methods because they required rapid execution and prevented edits, Leonardo engineered an experimental dry mural technique, utilizing an oil-and-tempera compound over a sealed gesso wall base.

    This choice allowed him to treat the wall like a studio canvas, perfecting deep psychological profiles and geometric perspective. While the painting achieved immediate historical acclaim as a masterpiece of narrative design, the experimental compound proved a material failure, causing the paint layers to flake and decay within his own lifetime due to wall dampness.

  • Start Date
    1494-12-31
  • Duration
    3 years
  • Type
    Professional
  • For
    Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan
  • Title
    Court Painter
  • Primary Responsibilities
    Formulating and testing alternative chemical primers to apply oil paints directly onto dry masonry. Staging complex physical perspective axes aligned with the architectural lighting of the room. Conducting real-world psychological studies of human faces to capture distinct expressions of betrayal. Managing erratic execution schedules around monastery routines and patron interruptions.

Used Skills