Who painted The Last Supper?

• A. Michelangelo
• B. Leonardo da Vinci
• C. Raphael
• D. Donatello

Answer: (B)

The main point here is to identify the artist who created The Last Supper. Leonardo da Vinci is the one who painted it, dating from the late 1490s for the dining hall of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. The work is celebrated for its dramatic composition and psychological depth: Jesus is at the center, and the apostles react in distinct, highly expressive ways as he reveals that one will betray him. Leonardo’s use of perspective draws the viewer’s eye toward Jesus, creating a powerful focal point and a sense of immediacy in the moment.

Additionally, Leonardo experimented with a mix of tempera and oil on plaster, rather than sticking to true fresco, which gave the painting its luminous detail but also contributed to its deterioration over time. This combination of groundbreaking composition, emotional realism, and the specific site of its commission helps distinguish Leonardo from the other artists listed—Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello—who are known for different works and scenes in different media.