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| Old photo |
This is an early image of Leonardo's mural, showing the missing right wall with the long painted frieze. A matching frieze is on the left wall. They extend into the painting, and become part of the 3-D effect that makes the room appear to recess.
Note : the door has already been cut in the bottom center, and the windows are still above the painted frieze. You can also also see the original curve of the ceiling. (click on images to enlarge)
Note : the door has already been cut in the bottom center, and the windows are still above the painted frieze. You can also also see the original curve of the ceiling. (click on images to enlarge)
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| Current photo |
Compare it with a current image. Notice that the curve of the ceiling is a different arch. In 1943 the refectory of the Maria delle Grazie was hit by allied bombs. It blew off the roof and the right wall. Although the structure was rebuilt, the top portion of the mural above the lunettes and the frieze is gone forever. The windows, now bricked up, are cut through the middle of the painted frieze on the left wall.
Still present is the red underpainting behind the lunettes.
The garlands surrounding the sheilds can be seen, although the paint has flaked off and they are badly deteriorated.
The three tapestries on each side of the walls are balck and no design is present.
Images of the feet are barely visible under the table.
Images of the food are vaguely discernable.
Below is a photo of the bombed structure. The back wall containing the mural was sand bagged and remained intact, except for the portion above the lunettes.
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| Bombed 1943- mural sand bagged |
The rubble of the destroyed roof can be seen in the floor of the refectory.
The double stacked sand bags were secured by a system of support pipes. Layers of thick wood was placed at entervals between the stacks of sand bags so they would have a place to secure the pipes.
Notice that a temporary, protective roof has been built above the mural to protect it from falling rubble.
It is admirable to see what great lengths the stewards of the mural went to protect Leonrdo's masterpiece.
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| Before latest restoration |
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| After last restoration |
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| Last Supper by Sharron Connelly (table) |
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| THE LAST SUPPER by SHARRON |
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This one gives a virtual tour of the Maria delle Grazie, so you can see the LAST SUPPER from home. It also includes other interesting sites around Milan.
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