What you are looking at
Jesus sits at the center of a long table with the twelve apostles in four groups of three, reacting in shock to his words that one of them will betray him. The lines of the ceiling and walls all run to a vanishing point behind his head, so your eye keeps returning to him.
Why it is famous
Leonardo painted it in the 1490s on the wall of the dining hall (refectory) of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, for Duke Ludovico Sforza. Instead of true fresco painted into wet plaster, he worked on the dry wall, which let him paint slowly but meant the paint began to flake within his own lifetime. A long restoration finished in 1999.
How big is The Last Supper?
The Last Supper measures 700 × 880 cm (275.6 × 346.5 in), without its frame. Its surface is about 145 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
Compare it with other paintings
Where to see it
It is still on the refectory wall where Leonardo painted it. Entry is by timed ticket for small groups with a short visit, and tickets sell out far ahead, so book as soon as the official sales window opens.
Museums move and lend paintings. Check the museum's website before you travel to see one work.
More by Leonardo da Vinci
Vitruvian ManLeonardo da Vinci, c. 1490 Venice
All Leonardo da Vinci paintings
Frequently asked questions
Who painted The Last Supper?
Leonardo da Vinci painted The Last Supper in c. 1495 to 1498.
Where is The Last Supper?
The Last Supper is in the Santa Maria delle Grazie (Cenacolo Vinciano), Milan, Italy.
How big is The Last Supper?
700 × 880 cm (275.6 × 346.5 in). Its surface is about 145 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
What is The Last Supper made with?
Tempera and oil on a plaster wall (mural).
Sources: Wikidata Q128910; Wikipedia, "The Last Supper". Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.