Leonardo Da Vinci's The Last Supper

1285 Words6 Pages
Art, a graphic representation of reality from the perspective of an artist, if this is so then what do we call an art work that in its essence is an authentic art work and exist or began existing as one, but ends up as a stage prop? I will be discussing how the functions of authentic art works change into props and visual aids in Exhibition culture as opposed to being prized and valued pieces. I will be referencing Benjamin .W’s essay ‘The work of art in the era of mechanical reproduction’. The essay will aid me in unpacking a film called The Da Vinci Code. I will further discuss the aura of uniqueness of Leonardo Da Vinci’s original painting, The Last Supper. The examples mentioned above will be copies of simulated versions of the originals…show more content…
In the context of the film, secretes that are being investigated are that of Christianity, its values, foundations and who the bloodline of Jesus Christ ends with or continues with (Alejandro 2014:[sp]). Leonardo Da Vinci’s paintings have taken a new function in the era of reproduction or Exhibition culture as discussed in Benjamin essay. The paintings have moved from being prized and culturally valued pieces of art to being stage props (bear in mind they are copies of the original) that aid in setting the plot and visuals of the film to simulate ideas of both the book and historical events surrounding those particular art works, The last Supper, Madonna of the rocks and the Mona Lisa (Akiva Goldsman 2006). From my perspective the film educates people about Leonardo Da Vinci and his works of art including their history and impact and significance in the foundations of art and deciphering of religion (Christianity). However it further does this by exploiting the art works through presenting them in a consumable way, as Copies, props and as part of the film(reproducible material), as they are used with the purpose of selling a fictitious visual idea to the
Open Document