MILAN, Italy, SEPT. 2, 2002 (Zenit.org).- The Shrine of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the setting of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece «The Last Supper,» is now also the venue for the exhibition of a Russian artist’s vision of the Gospel scene.
Natalia Tsarkova’s «The Last Supper» was blessed by John Paul II at Easter. It will be exhibited Sept. 4-11 in the sacristy of the Marian shrine here.
Tsarkova’s painting is also a message of peace at this time, which coincides with the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. On that day, a Mass will be celebrated here for the victims.
The presentation of the painting will take place during a congress in which the artist will express her «message of peace.» Among the speakers are Cardinal Jorge María Mejía, Vatican archivist and librarian, and Paolo Biscottini, director of Milan’s diocesan museum.
«The decision to exhibit the work in the Shrine of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the place of Leonardo’s Cenacle, is not accidental,» Tsarkova explained. «On the contrary, it has a strong symbolic significance.»
«Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attack, which has marked the history of humanity, Christ is no longer represented with the classical iconography; rather, he opens to the world and directs his gaze to all men, calling them to reflection, repentance and peace,» she added.
The Russian artist painted John Paul II’s «official portrait» during the Great Jubilee. The picture now is the property of the Vatican Museums.
