The greatest painter of all times
Milan has always been the city of Leonardo da Vinci, although he was not born here. This world-famous Renaissance painter was, as his name suggests, from Vinci, a village near Florence. He was born as an unwanted illegitimate child – not the best start in life for a child in the 15th century. At the age of 14, Da Vinci moved to Florence and ultimately to Milan. He is considered one of the greatest painters of all times, although he was also a sculptor, architect, philosopher, physicist and engineer - a genuine ‘Renaissance Man’ before the term was coined.
Da Vinci’s masterpiece ‘The Last Supper’
Smudges on the wall
Da Vinci’s masterpiece depicts the moment right after Jesus has told his 12 disciples that one of them would betray him before sunrise. The artist realistically portrays the surprise on their faces and body language. This mural is not a fresco but a tempura painting, a technique that enabled artists to make subtle nuances. But since this technique was less durable, smudges quickly appeared in the painting making it difficult to restore.
