All'ombra di Leonardo (In Leonardo's shadow): tapestries and ceremonies at the papal court

After Leonardo da Vinci, Last Supper Tapestry, ca. 1533, Vatican Museums.

The exhibition focuses on two remarkable works from the Vatican Museums: the Leonardesque Last Supper tapestry (to whose making Leonardo might have personally contributed during his French years) and the baldachin of Clement VII, designed by Raphael's most important disciples and collaborators.

From the 1500s, and for four centuries, the two tapestries played a key role in some of the major sacred ceremonies that took place at the Papal Court on the occasion of Easter, in particular the Coena Domini Holy Mass and Foot washing, celebrations embraced by all the Catholic courts, including the Court of Savoy. An intriguing story set in the Vatican palace, in St. Peter's Basilica and at the European courts, which still lives on today.

An article on the Vatican’s website provides more information on the Last Supper Tapestry and others based on cartoons by Raphael, as well as their recent restoration.