"Anatomy of a Painting: Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper" at Heritage Center

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Curious about The Last Supper? Learn more about one of the most famous paintings in history with "Anatomy of a Painting: Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper," the newest exhibit at the University of Dubuque's Bisignano Art Gallery.

"For those who wondered why Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper is so famous, I hope this show will begin to answer that question in a number of ways," said Alan Garfield, MA, director of the art gallery.

"Anatomy of a Painting: Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper" is free and open to the public from Wednesday, March 1, 2023, through Sunday, March 26, 2023. It explores why the painting is famous, shares facts about Leonard da Vinci, reviews a variety of Last Supper paintings, and more.

"I can't count the number of times that people have walked up to me and expressed both their admiration for and confusion with the da Vinci painting, The Last Supper. So Noah Bullock, art gallery coordinator, and I thought given that the spring season is holy for both Jews and Christians and that everyone loves or is confused by da Vinci, we could have a show dissecting his most famous work," Garfield said. "What we have tried to do is to replicate, in some small way, the effect one might have by going to Milan, in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where the mural is located. So, we tried to show the size and scale in this showcase."

A free pre-show reception for "Anatomy of a Painting: Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper" will be held Sunday, March 26, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the art gallery. The pre-show reception will take place in conjunction with The Pirates of Penzance, which will begin at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 26, 2023, in John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center. For more information or to purchase tickets to the performance, please visit www.dbq.edu/HeritageCenter.

A brochure that accompanies "Anatomy of a Painting: Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper" was funded by a gallery grant given by Bill (C'68) and Judith (C'67) Crandall.

Gallery hours are noon to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday during the academic year. The art gallery is also open in conjunction with all major events in John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center.

"Anatomy of a Painting: Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper" is also available virtually at http://gallery.dbq.edu.