The Last Supper, Renaissance fresco in Cenacolo di Ognissanti, Florence, Italy.
The Last Supper is a large fresco painted directly onto the refectory wall of the Convent of Ognissanti, showing Jesus and his disciples at their final meal rendered in Renaissance style. The composition fills the wall with carefully detailed figures and architectural elements painted in the fresco technique onto the plaster.
Domenico Ghirlandaio painted this work between 1480 and 1482, a period when Florence was flourishing as a major center for Renaissance art. This era shaped the artistic approach and techniques visible throughout the composition.
The fresco connects the monastic dining hall to religious life, as monks saw the sacred meal depicted while eating their own daily food. This connection between everyday nourishment and spiritual devotion shaped how the community experienced their space.
It helps to visit early in the day when crowds are smaller and light falls naturally on the wall surface for better viewing. The attached convent buildings and small museum nearby allow you to make a fuller visit to the whole ensemble.
The background of the scene includes painted windows opening onto a garden with peacocks, a detail reflecting Northern European artistic traditions. This subtle blend of Italian and Flemish artistic elements gives the work a distinct character that trained eyes will notice.
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