Essay Example on the Last Supper: A Comparison of Two Artworks

In biblical history, the last supper was an important occasion that took place before the death of Jesus Christ. People have tried to put the last supper in the work of art to explain the moments of this last supper. Leonardo Da Vinci and Tintoretto have illustrated their work of art concerning the last supper in different ways. Leonardo's last supper was created during the periods of renaissance and has got symbolic work which is simple and the emotion seems to be little. On the other hand, Tintoretto chose to present his work in a surrealistic way so as bring out the full meaning and impact. The following are some comparison and contrasts between the Leonardo last supper and the Jacopo Tintoretto the last supper.

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As said the last supper moments have been down in writing by a different artist trying to explain the happenings of those moments. Different styles were used in describing the paintings done by both artists mentioned above (Cambridge University Press, 1992). For an instant, the difference between the works done by both is trying to portray the importance as well as the power of the painting. In the work done by Leonardo is that he tries to relate his paintings with the community and manages to show how, as well as the disciples, were just ordinary people and how they were just like any other person while in the work by Tintoretto he tries to explain their holiness.

The last supper by Tintoretto tells more about the holiness of Christ Jesus and that of his followers. This is really done in several ways. First and for most, this explained by the use of lit halos. In his painting, Jesus is enshrined by the light of the glowing sun and also he portrays small halos to his disciples. This was done to show how Jesus and his companions were righteous and holy.

In addition, in his work, there is also use of the common people in which they are seen attending to the other people through serving them as well as washing the floor. However, these common people are seen to have no halos (Cognitive Semiotics 5.fall2009, 2009). This demonstration tries to bring hierarchy in that Jesus is the holiest and righteous followed by his Apostles whore are closely above the common people in terms of holiness. This composition tries to show the superiority between the common people and Jesus.

On the other work done by Leonardo, it brings an about different thing of the painting. The demonstration done in his work is seen Jesus placed at the center of the table and in which somehow he is separated from the other followers. In this composition, there are no tresses of marks bearing holiness and is portrayed sharing the meal with the other Apostles (Cambridge University Press, 1992). There is a connection of the painting that shows Jesus and the Apostles are of no much different and they are just like any else. This is because the element of the painting is mostly shared by individuals and their friends in their meeting areas.

This composition really shows the humanity in Jesus as well as his companions and therefore encourages the viewers to meditate the steps and actions by Jesus and the Apostles since they were just people just like any other. This has some spiritual impact on the Christian believers in such a way that they should follow the ways of light. In this demonstration, the ways of light are interacting and eating together with the fellow Christians as Jesus is seen freely interacting and sharing one table with his disciples.

There are also changes in artistic styles between the different artists. In the last supper painting by the Leonardo and Tintoretto, there major differences in style usage in which Leonardo's painting was done in a style which was of high Renaissance but in the Tintoretto's work the painting was done in the style of Mannerism (Cambridge University Press, 1992). However, the layout and depiction of these paintings of the last supper differ in the media

Last super by Leonardo used fresco style in painting. The paint was made of tempera paints as well as oil. The reason as to why the paints seemed to be rough and in bird condition is because Da Vinci used experimental techniques during the paintings. Instead of Leonardo applying pigments to the wet plasters, he used to apply the painting on plasters which were dry. The color could also not blend into the surfaces because of applying the paints on the dry plasters (Cognitive Semiotics 5.fall2009, 2009). Therefore this technique of painting on the dry plaster made the painting to be fragile and hence resulted in the poor condition. On the other hand, the painting by Tintoretto is painted in a much different media, therefore, appearing to be of better condition.

There is also a difference between both paintings of the last supper in terms of the layout. The last supper by Leonardo, the layout appears to be horizontal. In his demonstration, the table which is large is seen to be a foreground of the image and the figure are seen to be appearing behind the large table (Cambridge University Press, 1992). The painting appears to be symmetrical and the figures by the people surrounding Jesus are seen to be equal on both sides of him. There is also a tress of focal on Jesus' head as per the painting. This Da Vince's layout is seen to be much different from that of Tintoretto. This is because in his painting it is seen to have less of layout structures. The large table tents to look diagonal and the images are seen to be divided into two parts which are separate. As in Leonardo's painting, symmetry seems to be lacking in Tintoretto's painting. There is a perspective of focal point but it seems to point at the darkest area of the room side. There are different artistic styles by both artists as seen in their paintings. This is proved by the use of different layout by each individual.

The paintings of each artist also are seen to differ in accordance with how the events are depicted. On the painting done by Leonardo, the only people shown in the last supper are the Apostles and Jesus (Cognitive Semiotics 5.fall2009, 2009). The scene seems to have been captured immediately after when Jesus informed his disciples that one of them was going to betray him. This brings about arguments among the disciples questioning each other who that could be. Jesus is seen to be calm despite the argument and in which attention is drawn back and away from the pandemonium.

In Tintoretto's image the last supper, the image is seen to be different. There are several figures which are shown around Jesus and the Apostles (Cambridge University Press, 1992). There are also common people who are offering services, angels and also animals. The scene in the painting is also seen to be different. The disciples are seen to be enjoying their food and hence lack knowledge of what they are going to encounter later that night. There seem to be several activities which are undergoing in this scene (Cognitive Semiotics 5.fall2009, 2009). A presence of a woman and other servants portrays what was happening when Jesus moved from one region to another with his disciples. Comparing this image with that of Leonardo, Tintoretto's image appears more complex. Also comparing how each of the individuals depicted the last supper shows much difference in energy and movement in the Leonardo's and Tintoretto's last supper.

Conclusion

In conclusion, several demonstrations have been made by each artist to show the occurrence of the last supper. Although they may at point look similar in terms of subject matter, they differ a lot in terms of symbolism, the moment at which the narrative was created and also the composition. As it has been noticed, last super by Da Vince is of the high renaissance and well interpretive of its themes. He shows a long table where Jesus is seated together with his disciples and in which the table is parallel to the plane of the picture (Cambridge University Press, 1992). The rest of the people are excited and acting dramatically. Their hand can also be seen spread everywhere and seen to be asking Jesus some questions. In his illustration, Jesus who is a key player is placed at the middle of two windows with pediment which is curved and arches on his head.

In Leonardo's last supper, the disciples have been arranged into groups of three and brought together by the motion of their hands thus symmetrically feeling portrayed. The viewer is taken around the oval-shaped piece of composition but clearly seen Jesus as the source of the communication (Cognitive Semiotics 5.fall2009, 2009). On the other hand, Tintoretto uses mannerist styles in creating a composition of revolutionary. The service plane is set in a diagonal manner and therefore Jesus can be seen well through the light which passes above his head. The author through this light he tries to bring to attention Jesus is the only light and through him, Christians can see through their challenges.

There is also commotion of the figures as they lean into positions which are uncomfortable.an example is the maid who is at the foreground. Leonardo is the artist who is known to have firstly put Judas the betrayer of Jesus on the same side of the table with Jesus (Cambridge University Press, 1992). This clearly shows how Jesus trusted his followers and is also seen when he is shown as the focal point. Besides the three groups of disciples showing or rather supporting symmetry, they also symbolize the Trinity. Also through the angels which are flying through the windows shows a good balance of both heaven and earth.

Although there might have critics concerning their work by some individuals. Both artists have tried to point out real issues which transpired during the last supper. Through their composition, a lot is learned and the real picture of the last supper shown. The themes and styles that they both used shows how experienced artists they are.

Works cited

Hall, Marcia B. Color and meaning: practice and theory in Renaissance painting. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992.

Wildgen, Wolfgang. "Geometry and Dynamics in the Art of Leonardo da Vinci." Cognitive Semiotics 5.fall2009 (2009): 66-92.