By Ross King
Ross King has provided us with another one of his insightful works. In addition to a thoughtful and deliciously researched book about The Last supper, he frames his work with a revealing description of the man and the painter, Da Vinci.
As always, he manages to plumb the depths of his subject's psyche and to give the reader a fresh perspective to a subject that seemingly has been analyzed ad infinitum. It's all there. the politics of the time, Da Vinci's genius and his struggles to make his paintings unique to his artistic vision whether it be the Mona Lisa or the Last Supper, and yes, the reasons for his inability to complete many of his projects.
Do not blame the French Kings, the Sforzas' need for artillery, his desire to be a great military engineer, his madcap schemes to reroute rivers or anything else, but the man himself. Who else would spend literally decades reworking a great masterpiece such as the Mona Lisa, devote such effort to produce a fresco with such novel methods that almost insured its ultimate demise, and as always Mr. King makes certain that we understand those methods.
Mr. King has stripped the "patina" from the Last Supper and permits us to appreciated what Da Vinci ultimately saw in his fertile imagination. this book is a must read for those unfamiliar with Da Vinci or those who are only peripherally acquainted with his reputation. There is simply not a section of the book which will not enchant the reader and introduce him to the man and not the legendary reputation. Bravissimo Ross King.
Review by Propertius
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