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The Last Supper Restored. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci.

All You Need to Know Before Getting Tickets for the Last Supper in MilanAre you planning to get a ticket for the Last Supper in Milan? The Last Supper is a mural painting by the Italian artist Leonardo. It measures 460 cm × 800 cm and covers an end wall of a dining hall at the monastery of Santa Maria.

It turns out to be one of the most famous artworks in the world. It is located in Milano, in the refectory of the Dominican covenant of Santa Maria Delle Grazie.

This sensational work of art was painted between 1494 and 1498 under the government of Ludovico il Moro. It was painted by Leonardo and is mostly referred to as Leonardo’s Last Supper. It is also one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

Below are all you need to know before getting a ticket for the Last Supper Milan

What is the History of the Last Supper in Milan?

The last supper. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci.

The Last Supper artwork dated back to 1494 – 1498. It was the work of Leonardo da Vinci which represents the last dinner between Jesus and his twelve disciples. The painting depicts the moment in the Gospel of John after Jesus announced that one of his disciples would betray him.

Leonardo abandoned the fresco painting which was used in the tradition and painted the scene dry on the refectory wall. The traces of gold and silver foils within the area is a proof that he used quite precious materials in his painting.

As years passed by, the painting began to deteriorate, due to the technique used and the environmental factors.  However, it has undergone numerous restorations where several scientific approaches were used to restore its original colors.

Measures have been taken to maintain the painting and protect it from further deterioration.

What is the Painting About?

The Last Supper Restored. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci.

The painting reveals the historic narrative from the Gospel of John which unfolds before our eyes right in front of the painting. It is the moment when Jesus reveals that Judas will betray him. Jesus is seated at the center surrounded by the twelve disciples.

The painting depicts a precise and intense moment of different reactions from the disciples and Jesus revealed that one of them would betray him. Their different reactions and movements are spectacularly captured in the painting as chaos erupts from his followers.

The apostles are filled with various degrees of shock and anger.  They were identified using the unsigned fresco copy of Leonardo’s.

The disciples form a group of three

The disciples form a group of three. The first group from the left is Andrew, Bartholomew, and James son of Alphaeus. The three are surprised by the words of Jesus.

They are followed by another group of Peter, John, and Judas Iscariot. The painting depicts Peter filled with anger and holding. He appears to be holding a knife which foresees his violence when Jesus is arrested in Gethsemane. Peter also appears to be leaning on John when he signals him as the beloved disciple to ask Jesus who would betray him.  John also appears to lean towards Peter.

Judas is dressed in green, blue, and red, in a shadow, and appears withdrawn from the other two disciples probably by the realization and revelation of his plan. He is holding a bag that signifies his role as the treasurer or probably the thirty pieces of silver given to him as payment to betray Jesus. He is the only person whose elbow is placed on the table with his head bent vertically the lowest among all in the painting.  

Jesus is at the Center of the Disciple

The Last Supper Restored. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci.

Jesus is at the center of the disciple with Thomas, James the greater, and Philip on his left. Philip appears to be confused and probably asking for some explanation for the words of Jesus. Thomas and James appear upset and look stunned shown by their different gestures with their hands.   

Simon the Zealot, Matthew, and Jude Thaddeus are the last group on the right of the painting. Mathew and Jude are leaning towards Simon probably to find out whether he is aware of what Jesus said and perhaps give them some answers.

What Changes have occurred to the painting over the Years?

piainted by Leonardo da Vinci.

Since the painting of the Last Supper in 1948, the painting has deteriorated over time because of environmental factors. The paint was first restored in 1726, by Michelangelo Bellotti who filled the missing sections with oil paints.

During the second world war in 1943, the wall of the refectory was used to make a target practice by the French revolutionary war Napoleon’s troops. The booming led to the damage to the roof of the old Dominican dining leaving the paint in the open.

Restoration of the Last Supper

In the 1970s the painting had severely deteriorated. It began a major restoration from 1978 to 1999 under Pinin Brambilla Barcilon. After the major restoration, it was returned to display in 1999. It has since then been protected from environmental damages and further deterioration.

Currently, the huge painting stands at 460 centimeters high and 880 centimeters wide. It is made of tempera and oil on gypsum. Several measures have been taken to protect the painting including restricting visitors to a group of 25 people every 15 minutes to help maintain the room temperature.

How to Visit the Last Supper in Milan?

Photo by Claudio Schwarz on

The Last supper is one of the most interesting and attractive sites in Milan. It is popularly known to contain a high number of visitors which also makes the availability of tickets to be limited.

It is necessary to make advanced reservations. The ticket for viewing the painting’s masterpiece can be booked online which they must be sold as part of a package.

Tickets dates are released about 4 months in advance. Appointments however, can be scheduled from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 am to 6:45 pm.

During the visit, you can only view the masterpiece for only 15 minutes. Visitors should also be dressed in appropriate attire for entering a church.

How to Get to Last Supper Milan?

You can get to Santa Maria Della Grazie church via public transportation by taking the Metro Red Line to Conciliazione or the green line to Cadorna.

It is also 5 to 10 minutes away from the train station using a taxi. You can also walk for 15 minutes from the Duomo.