Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Leonardo da Vinci
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question comes from the field of art history and general culture. The Last Supper is one of the most recognised religious paintings in the world, often reproduced in textbooks, films and popular media. Knowing which Renaissance master created it helps you connect important works of art with their creators, a frequent requirement in general knowledge exams.
Given Data / Assumptions:
• The painting in question is The Last Supper.
• It is a religious work depicting the final meal of Jesus with his disciples.
• The options list several Italian Renaissance artists.
• We have to match the correct artist with this particular masterpiece.
Concept / Approach:
Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest geniuses of the Italian Renaissance, painted The Last Supper on the wall of the dining hall of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. The work is famous for its composition, perspective and emotional expression as Jesus announces that one of the disciples will betray him. Other artists like Michelangelo and Raphael created many masterpieces, but The Last Supper is specifically linked with Leonardo da Vinci.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Leonardo da Vinci is associated with both The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa.
Step 2: Remember that Michelangelo is more closely linked with the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the statue of David.
Step 3: Note that Raphael is famous for works such as The School of Athens.
Step 4: Compare these associations with the name of the painting given in the question.
Step 5: Conclude that Leonardo da Vinci is the correct artist for The Last Supper and select his name.
Verification / Alternative check:
Any standard art history book or museum guide attributes The Last Supper to Leonardo da Vinci and locates it in Milan. Photographs of the mural and discussions of its restoration consistently mention Leonardo as the author. This repeated confirmation across many reliable sources ensures that there is no realistic doubt about the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Michelangelo: A brilliant sculptor and painter, but best known for the Sistine Chapel and the statue of David, not The Last Supper.
Raphael: Celebrated for his Madonnas and The School of Athens, but not linked with this particular mural.
Andrea del Sarto: A respected Florentine painter, but not the creator of The Last Supper.
Sandro Botticelli: Known for The Birth of Venus and Primavera, not for painting The Last Supper.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes mix up the works of Renaissance artists because they all lived in roughly the same era and region. A helpful association is to remember Leonardo with The Last Supper and Mona Lisa, Michelangelo with the Sistine Chapel and David, and Raphael with The School of Athens. Fixing these pairs in your mind avoids confusion in exam questions about famous artworks.
Final Answer:
The immortal painting The Last Supper is the work of Leonardo da Vinci.
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