Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci's paintings unite closely observed expressions with studies of light, anatomy, and landscape. Subtle tonal transitions, associated with sfumato, give figures volume. The Last Supper organizes the apostles around Christ in the dining hall of Milan's Dominican monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie, linking a sacred meal with the friars' daily life. Leonardo applied pigments over a dry preparatory surface rather than wet plaster. The Mona Lisa joins a closely studied face with landscape.