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		The Da Vinci Code Best seller by Dan Brown This very popular bestseller has re-awakened an interest in Leonardo da Vinci all over the world. But are we sure that everything written about Leonardo’s works is true? The story is gripping and although it is fiction, it does refer to many real events. Some of these references concern Leonardo and may mislead readers who may think that some or all of the material is factual.

1. Is it true that a murderer is hidden in the painting of the Last Supper? Perhaps not.


You can see the painting of the Last Supper in Milan, in the convent of S. Maria delle Grazie. The last restoration made it much brighter and “barer” than it was before. So much so that to see it as a whole, it’s easier to look at a printed reproduction.		Dan Brown referred to it in his novel "The Da Vinci Code” as proof of the fact that Leonardo wanted to send us a secret message. The apostle to the right of Christ has a somewhat feminine appearance and in the novel is described as Mary Magdalene.

1.1 Thirteen people at the table


1.2 But how many hands are there?

Here we have highlighted only the hands present in the fresco.		Like many others before him, Dan Brown quoted the legend based on the wrong number of hands. Look carefully and you’ll see that they all belong to their proper owners.

1.3 A table for thirteen, please!

Here we have highlighted each pair of hands and used a number to identify which of the 13 people they belong to. 1 Bartholomew, 2 James the Less, 3 Andrew, 4 Peter, 5 Judas, 6 John, 7 Jesus, 8 James the Great, 9 Thomas, 10 Philip, 11 Matthew, 12 Thaddeus and 13 Simon the Zealot.		Where’s the mystery? Didn’t they say there were more hands than people? Look carefully and count again. They’re all there: Thomas has one of his hands immediately below James the Great’s left hand.

1.4 And what about Peter and John?

In this close-up we see two apostles who seem to be in conversation. Traditionally, these are understood to be Peter talking to John and putting his hand on his shoulder to reassure him.		Dan Brown implies that, in fact, Peter’s position, with a knife nearby and his hand on John’s neck, seems to mean he is saying something like, “Behave, or you’re dead!” But what if all it means is that Peter is saying, “Excuse me, but could you pass me that piece of bread over there?” What could be more natural than to have a knife in your hand when the table is covered with food?

1.5 Threatening or reassuring?

Peter is resting one hand on John’s shoulder to reassure him; his other hand, with the knife, is far away and anyway, at a table full of food, you would have a knife.		Dan Brown suggests that the position is threatening, but by the looks on their faces the apostles don’t seem to be nervous or terrified. On the contrary, they both look quite relaxed.

1.6 Preparatory studies
		Leonardo’s study for the Last Supper - Galleria dell'Accademia, Venice. Preparation and digital composition of individual sketches.
Leonardo made many preparatory studies for his painting of the Last Supper. None of these show any sign of the mysterious and “dangerous” allegories or symbolism conjured up in Brown’s novel. The study of Da Vinci’s manuscripts is fascinating and he emerges as an even greater and more mysterious figure.		The novel in question has the value of stimulating the curiosity of people who have never before had any interest in Leonardo, but such people must not be misled. The manuscripts are available to anyone who seriously wants to learn more and to study the real mysteries of this genius.

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