<P> Two early copies of The Last Supper are known to exist, presumed to be work by Leonardo's assistants . The copies are almost the size of the original, and have survived with a wealth of original detail still intact . One copy, by Giampietrino, is in the collection of the Royal Academy of Arts, London, and the other, by Cesare da Sesto, is installed at the Church of St. Ambrogio in Ponte Capriasca, Switzerland . A third copy (oil on canvas) is painted by Andrea Solari (ca . 1520) and is on display in the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of the Tongerlo Abbey, Belgium . </P> <P> For this work, Leonardo sought a greater detail and luminosity than could be achieved with traditional fresco . He painted The Last Supper on a dry wall rather than on wet plaster, so it is not a true fresco . Because a fresco cannot be modified as the artist works, Leonardo instead chose to seal the stone wall with a double layer of dried plaster . Then, borrowing from panel painting, he added an undercoat of white lead to enhance the brightness of the oil and tempera that was applied on top . This was a method that had been described previously, by Cennino Cennini in the 14th century . However, Cennini had recommended the use of secco for the final touches alone . These techniques were important for Leonardo's desire to work slowly on the painting, giving him sufficient time to develop the gradual shading or chiaroscuro that was essential in his style . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (May 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (May 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr>

Description of the last supper by leonardo da vinci