Da Vinci’s Masterpiece in Malta: Unpacking ‘The Last Supper’

Imagine, if you will, the bustling streets of Valletta, Malta’s capital city. Now, picture a scene from over five centuries ago, painted by the master himself, Leonardo da Vinci. This is the power of art, bridging time and space, bringing us face to face with history. Today, we look ‘The Last Supper’, a masterpiece that has found its way onto the walls of our very own St. John’s Co-Cathedral.

Da Vinci’s Masterstroke

Painted between 1495 and 1498, ‘The Last Supper’ is one of da Vinci’s most renowned works. The mural, measuring approximately 460 cm × 880 cm (15 ft × 29 ft), adorns the refectory wall of the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. However, a smaller version of this masterpiece graces the walls of our own St. John’s Co-Cathedral, a testament to the artistic exchange between Malta and Italy during the Knights’ reign.

The scene depicts the moment when Jesus announces that one of his Twelve Apostles would betray him. Da Vinci’s genius lies not just in the composition, but also in the emotional responses he captures – surprise, anger, sadness, and disbelief play out across the apostles’ faces. It’s a snapshot of human emotion, frozen in time.

Malta’s Da Vinci Connection

Malta’s connection to da Vinci is often overlooked, yet it’s a fascinating tale. The Knights of St. John, who ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798, were great patrons of the arts. They commissioned artists like da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Mattia Preti to decorate their churches and palaces. The Knights’ library even housed a copy of da Vinci’s ‘Treatise on Painting’.

St. John’s Co-Cathedral, built between 1572 and 1577, is a prime example of this artistic exchange. The cathedral’s ornate interior, designed by Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar, is a riot of color and gold, a perfect backdrop for the da Vinci mural. The mural, believed to have been painted by a follower of da Vinci, is a smaller version of the Milan masterpiece, but no less powerful.

Visiting ‘The Last Supper’ in Malta

St. John’s Co-Cathedral is a must-visit for any art lover. The cathedral is open to the public, with guided tours available in multiple languages. The da Vinci mural is housed in the Oratory, a small, dimly lit room off the main cathedral. It’s a quiet, contemplative space, allowing visitors to appreciate the intricate details of the painting.

For a deeper understanding of da Vinci’s influence on Maltese art, consider visiting the National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta. The museum houses a collection of artworks from the Knights’ era, including pieces inspired by da Vinci’s techniques and compositions.

And if you’re feeling inspired, why not try your hand at painting? The Malta School of Art in Valletta offers classes in various techniques, including fresco painting, a nod to da Vinci’s mural.

As you stand before da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ in Malta, remember that you’re not just admiring a masterpiece, but also a piece of shared history. This painting is a bridge between our past and present, a testament to the enduring power of art.

“Art is never finished, only abandoned,” da Vinci once said. In Malta, his ‘Last Supper’ continues to inspire, educate, and captivate, a far cry from being abandoned.