The painting often credited with marking the beginning of the High Renaissance is “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci. Completed between 1495 and 1498, this masterpiece is considered a pivotal work that exemplifies the ideals of the High Renaissance, such as balanced composition, perspective, and the harmonious blending of human emotion with classical ideals.
Key Reasons Why “The Last Supper” Is Seen as the Start of the High Renaissance:
- Innovative Composition:
- Leonardo introduced a groundbreaking approach to composition, using perspective to create depth and guide the viewer’s focus toward the central figure of Christ. The balance and symmetry in the arrangement of the apostles around Christ reflect the High Renaissance’s emphasis on order and proportion.
- Use of Perspective:
- The painting showcases Leonardo’s mastery of linear perspective, which was a hallmark of Renaissance art. The vanishing point at Christ’s head draws the viewer’s eye directly to him, highlighting his importance in the scene.
- Emotional Expression:
- The portrayal of the apostles’ reactions to Christ’s announcement of betrayal is both natural and deeply expressive. This humanism, combined with the classical calmness of Christ, embodies the High Renaissance’s blend of realism and idealism.
- Technical Innovation:
- Although Leonardo experimented with a new fresco technique that unfortunately led to the rapid deterioration of the painting, his innovative spirit was characteristic of the High Renaissance’s quest for perfection and new artistic techniques.
Context and Influence:
“The Last Supper” was created during a time when the cultural and artistic developments of the Early Renaissance were reaching their peak. Leonardo’s work, alongside that of contemporaries like Michelangelo and Raphael, helped to define the High Renaissance, a period marked by an extraordinary flourishing of the arts, with an emphasis on harmony, balance, and the revival of classical antiquity.
This painting not only marked the beginning of the High Renaissance but also set the standard for the artistic achievements that followed in the early 16th century, influencing generations of artists across Europe.