LEONARDO DA VINCI 1452-1519

Leonardo da VINCI Vinci, 1452–Amboise, 1519 Study for the Apostle James the Greater in The Last Supper; Architectural Study Red chalk, pen and brown ink About 1494–1496 On 30 June 1497, Leonardo was commissioned to produce a painting for the Milanese convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.The work was to depict the Last Supper – the final meal shared by Jesus and his disciples before the Cruci- fixion. One of Leonardo’s preparatory sketches was this magnificent red chalk study of Saint James the Greater, showing his stunned expression at Christ’s announce- ment of his coming betrayal by one of his disciples. The architectural sketch has been linked to a project for the Castello Sforzesco in Milan. The Royal Collection, Windsor, RL 12552, loaned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 124