Another beautiful day in Florence and I went in search of the ‘other’ Last Supper…
The Other Last Supper
I actually walked past this place – TWICE – before I realised it was there… Just a small plaque on the wall, and a non-descript door.
Created around 1445, this is the first Renaissance refectory in Florence and is the one belonging to the Benedictine nuns of Sant’Apollonia.
…and so, I rang the bell and was admitted… and apart from the man at the door and a woman who was leaving, I was the only one there…
The former convent houses a stunning collection of frescos and preparatory works by Andrea del Castagno (1421-1457), who worked on the Last Supper fresco after his return from Venice in 1444.
Amazingly, the majority of these works were covered in whitewash and were only re-discovered in the late 1800s.
If one puts oneself in the shoes (as best one can) of someone living in the 15th century when this was painted, it is so very easy to imagine how impressive and awe-inspiring (in the literal sense) were these frescos. Sitting alone in the chapel, looking at the far wall, I was captivated.
This is not a particularly favourite style of painting for me, but nonetheless, the effect was remarkable.
…and from such beauty, walking home I went past a place that – I’ve still no idea what was there – had a constant stream of teenagers and early twenty-somethings coming and going…
Another wonderful day in Florence…
~ Bella
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