Study for the Last Supper: Judas 1495

Leonardo da Vinci made this red chalk drawing, “Study for the Last Supper: Judas,” as a preparatory sketch for his famed mural. The drawing is dominated by the stark profile of a man, his features rendered with precise, yet fluid lines. Notice how the intensity of the red chalk varies, creating depth and shadow that convey a sense of unease. The face, with its pronounced nose and pursed lips, seems burdened, almost grotesque. Da Vinci’s genius lies in his ability to infuse form with psychological depth. He masterfully employs line and shadow to hint at Judas’s inner turmoil and moral complexities. The grotesque features serve as visual signifiers of Judas’s betrayal and inner corruption. Consider how the act of drawing itself—the delicate yet assertive lines—mirrors the intricate dance between intention and action, choice and consequence. This drawing is a window into the complexities of human character.