Restored ‘Last Supper’ Reopened for Viewing

ROME — After two decades, the restoration of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” on a Milan monastery wall is finished, and the masterpiece went back on display this weekend.

Deterioration of the painting, showing Christ’s last meal with his apostles, began almost immediately after the artist finished it in 1498, and it had been subjected to a half-dozen restorations of questionable quality over the centuries.

Past restorations, experts said, made it almost impossible to fully appreciate the artist’s choice of brilliant colors for the work.

Visitors who make reservations will be ushered into the dining hall of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Graces (Santa Maria delle Grazie church), in groups of 25, for 15 minutes of viewing.