Discovering Da Vinci

In Milan stands an old church in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan where Leonardo Da Vinci painted his famous "Last Supper". While in Milan my friend helped me to obtain a ticket to visit. When you enter through a temperature/humidity controlled entrance, you find yourself in a long room. At one end is the painting of the "Last Supper" (Cameras are not allowed). Benches face the wall where the painting reaches up from the entrance to what used to be the Kitchen entrance.

The opposite wall of the refectory is covered by the Crucifixion fresco by Giovanni Donato da Montorfano, to which Leonardo added figures of the Sforza family in tempera. It should be noted that there are no benches for this painting.

As indicated in the "Da Vinci Code" there is a "V" formed to the left of the image of Jesus and his follower which does look somewhat female.

I can only say that to be in the presence of this painting made me feel in awe of such a great painter. After spending time just studying the painting, I left and went to a gallery where pages from "da Vinci's" note book are mounted and preserved. I continued to feel the presence of greatness as I wandered studying each page of text and drawings. Such a great mind and wonderful artist. I have fulfilled another dream.

If you have plans to visit Milan Italy, do yourself a favor and reserve tickets to see these artifacts of the great Master.