Use of perspective in Leonardo da Vinci’s painting, The Last Supper, is evidence of the innovative artistic work of the Renaissance art. This is manifest in his use of aerial perspective and one-point linear perspective. The use of perspective in the painting communicates a symbolic meaning of the painting and the message the painter was sending to his audience. All the elements of the painting focus the attention of the viewer to the foreground and the head of Jesus.
For example, the window behind Jesus plays the role of a halo. The only figure leaning away from Jesus is that of Judas, and he painted it using a shadow. The painter innovatively used perspective to focus the viewer and communicate the message surrounding the painting, including betrayal (Zöllner and Nathan 47). There are people seated with Jesus, but the somber mood is evident. There is also evidence of the impending betrayal by one of his disciples. This was the primary reason for using perspective to appeal to the audience.