The Last Supper Essay

593 Words2 Pages

The Last Supper , painted by Leonardo Da Vinci possesses a number of elements of art and principles of design.

First ,there is a variety of elements of art which is lines, shape, texture and colour. There are three forms of lines used in the painting: psychic line, implied and curved lines. Psychic line is an imaginary line formed to direct viewer’s eye. An example is when the apostles are looking at Jesus Christ. Also, the eighth figure from left to right, Thomas is pointing up with his index finger, this creates a psychic line. An implied line is presented when the apostles bend their body towards Jesus Christ. There is also curved lines which depicts the apostles’ clothing.

Next, actual shape like organic and geometric shape are present …show more content…

Besides that, warm and cool colours are used to represent different clothes worn by the apostles and Jesus. Scenery outside the window is painted in blue, a cool colour to give a feeling of distance.

Moreover, various kind of principles of design is created such are variety, balance, harmony, repetition, movement, perspective, space, dominance and focal point.

Under variety, contrast in the colours of clothing creates an emphasis of the character. This painting achieved an asymmetrical balance as there are 2 groups of 3 on the left and right. If the page was to be folded with Jesus in the middle, it would fit almost perfectly.

The apostles, in groups of three are surrounded by an implied geometric shape. Harmony is created to show that they are in a group. The ceiling (block of squares), tapestries on the wall creates a repetition. Repetition arrange things in an order to look organized.

Besides that, the curved and implied lines by the apostles’ body and clothing shows movement and gestures. The artist used linear perspective as there is a strong focal point above Christ’s head ,created by converging lines from all directions which guide the viewer’s eye to focus on Christ. The colour of the scenery outside the window is ranging from dull to colourless which creates an aerial perspective. Aerial perspective creates an illusion of

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