JC and the boys

Artists

         No wall painting has inspired admiration or raised controversy quite like “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci. To preserve the splendor of the painting, a massive restoration project was completed in 1997 where dust and a concrete-like glue were removed by master restorer Pinin Brambilla, leaving some faded spots but overall redeeming the original and intended colors and features of the figures intended by da Vinci. The painting, which lies on a wall in the Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery in Milan, has survived bombings in World War II and numerous unsuccessful restoration attempts since its completion in 1498. The restoration began in 1979 and was completed in 1999 at a cost of over 2.6 million English pounds. Critics of the work claim the restoration has left the painting less vivid and glowing as before. Brambilla explains that she did not attempt to add color or touch up the depiction in order to mend the painting back to the artist’s intention. She has let time take its intention on the piece. As for whether Mary Magdalene is standing on the right hand of Christ, da Vinci leaves that interpretation to be debated for generations to come.