The Last Supper,  One of the masterpieces of Renaissance art, showed radical changes when it was unveiled in 1999 after 20 years of restoration work. After all these efforts, the original colors, patterns and shapes painted by Leonardo da Vinci were vividly brought to life after 500 years.

After 4 years of innovative work,  one of Leonardo's finest paintings, "The Last Supper", was completed in 1498.  It was painted on wall in the abbey of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.

The Last Supper is one of the most dramatic episodes in the Gospel accounts of Christ's life. Jesus and his disciples went to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. As he dined with them, he had a premonition of his imminent arrest and execution: 'One of you will betray me.' He blessed the wine and bread, ate with his disciples and said to them: 'Do this in remembrance of me.' The Last Supper has been recalled by Christian churches ever since through the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Leonardo’s Last Supper has become one of the most widely appreciated masterpieces in the world. It began to acquire its unique reputation immediately after it was finished in 1498 and its prestige has never diminished.

However Leonardo used an experimental fresco technique and as a result the painting started to flake away almost as soon as he finished it 500 years ago. Over the years, other artists, little by little, tried to restore the damage and to retouch it where the plaster had fallen off.

In Italy, a £5m national project to restore "The Last Supper" to its original state was implemented by the nation's Agency of Cultural Affairs. After 20 years, the project was finally completed.

A number of intriguing facts were discovered. Pinan Brambila, head of the restoration team, said the painstaking work had revealed formerly hidden detail: "Many faces were enlarged so they had a different physical structure. Some eyes had been rubbed out and painted over with small brush strokes. "Underneath we found the original eyes - the eyes as they were originally painted."

Photographs of the painting taken in the 1940s show it had been in dreadful condition, but now lines which were crude and inexpressive are delicate and refined. The food on the table and the creases on the cloth can now be seen clearly.

The mural is still far from perfect, and some critics feel too much paint has been removed. However, others say it is probably nearer to the original that Leonardo painted.

The restored masterpiece was re-opened to visitors in May 1999.
Restorers have also taken possible future pollution of the masterpiece into account.
Visitors wanting to see it will have to pass through a glass tunnel and several pressurized chambers, walking on anti-bacterial carpets while a stiff breeze blows any dirt or dust from their clothes.

GoldArt printed the restored picture on 24K Gold, so it will not be degraded and you can keep it in your private treasure.