As I write this, I am on the train surrounded by 4 languages all at once, a bit cool if I say so myself.
The Last Supper. This is one of the worlds' most famous works of art. Wether you are Christian or not, you can recognize this image. However, there is a story behind it that is overlooked. No, not the DaVinci code type story or anything like that. But real, authentic history.
First off the location. It is in a church.. Wow, how novel. In Milan (hence why I am writing about it) in a dining room that was once used by the monks, priests, etc. DaVinci was commissioned by the Solfetzo family (Milan's royals at the time) to create the work in exchange for burial rights at the church (which they never got).
Next is what the picture captures. It is the moment when Christ tells his disciples that one of them will betray him. The painting captures all of the disciples personalities as they are recounted in the Bible.
Furthermore, Leonardo's use of light and perspective is impeccable. There is the understood light from the windows in the back and a ambient light representative of God. The light however is not shining on Judas, who also is the only one making eye contact with Jesus. The prospective of the picture lines up with the ceiling lines of the room.
During WWII Milan suffered great destruction, including the church where the last supper is. One of the walls of the room was torn down along with the ceiling. However, the painting was left unharmed.
Since the war, the painting has undergone extensive restoration. The room where the painting is is extremely climate controlled from an air purification, humidity control, precise temperature, nothing is left un controlled.
I got to experience the masterpiece for myself today. After a short tour of the church and Sofitza castle grounds, it was time to enter in the room. There was a series of 4 doors to get to the room. The door behind had to close before the dour in front could open. Visits to the room are limited to groups of 25 for 15 minutes exactly (the doors are timed).
As I stood there, I couldn't believe what I was witnessing. There it was. Ahhh... Having seen the Mona Lisa and being unimpressed, I didn't have extremely high expectations. Instead, it was more of a I'm doing this to say I have kind of thing. Was I wrong. I was in Awe. I know it seems I'm that way quite a bit, but this was something different, something more. First off, I'm not a painting/fresco person, I like sculpture. But there was something about it, something spiritual. I could had stood there studying the masterpiece for hours, and would had if there were tickets available.
After my spiritual connection, I got some food. A brunch of sorts. I went to a local bar (please understand that the term bar differs in Europe from the states) that had food. I got a coke and what quite frankly was a tortilla with cheese, eggplant, tomatoes, and lettuce then was all toasted. It was filling, cheap, and good. Three of my favorite things.
I purchased a pass to ride the trolley up to the duomo to take in the sight one lad time before heading to the train station to book tickets for later this month and write some post cards.
As I finish writing this, I am on the way to my next city. This city was a major catalyst in me traveling this summer. I can't wait to arrive.
"love one another as I have loved you" -Jesus at the last supper.
-Until
Matt
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