The Last Supper (After Leonardo da Vinci) - Raphael Morghen

A detailed engraving by Raphael Morghen, reproducing Leonardo da Vinci's iconic mural, The Last Supper, with precise line work and balanced composition.

This engraving by Raphael Morghen reproduces Leonardo da Vinci's mural, The Last Supper, originally painted in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Morghen, a skilled Italian engraver, dedicated years to the completion of this plate, which became one of the most widely circulated interpretations of the composition during the nineteenth century.

The print captures the dramatic moment when Christ announces that one of his disciples will betray him. The figures are arranged along a long table, their reactions varying from shock to sorrow. Morghen employs precise hatching and cross-hatching techniques to translate the tonal qualities of Leonardo's original painting into a monochrome medium. The architectural setting, defined by the coffered ceiling and the three windows at the rear, provides a structured environment for the narrative. The perspective lines converge towards the central figure of Christ, maintaining the geometric balance established in the original work.

As an engraving, this piece demonstrates the technical rigour required to replicate the subtle modelling of human forms and the atmospheric depth of the interior. Morghen's work allowed audiences across Europe to study the composition of the Italian Renaissance master in detail. The print reflects the period's interest in documenting historical masterpieces through the medium of printmaking, ensuring that the visual information of the original mural remained accessible to scholars and collectors alike. The clarity of the line work and the careful attention to the emotional expressions of the disciples demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship associated with Morghen's output.