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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Y. Mara Teresa Hernndez

At the convent of Leonardo’s 'Last Supper,' Dominican friars still live, pray and welcome visitors

Italy Milan Last Supper Friars - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The Rev. Paolo Venturelli never gets too close when he visits Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” The Dominican friar prefers to stand away from the wall where it was painted, on the opposite side of the room once used by members of his order for meals.

“From there, the painting looks as though it were painted in the middle of the refectory,” said Venturelli of the masterpiece depicting the Gospel story of Jesus' final meal with his apostles. “It unleashes all kinds of human and spiritual reactions.”

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