Dierec Bouts, a Dutch painter, and Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian Renaissance painter, are both known for their paintings of The Last Supper. While both versions of the Last Supper center on the same biblical event, the artists used techniques such as linear perspective, details and shapes to create different messages; one involving the whole idea of ​​Christianity and the other focusing narrowly on the biblical story and the sin involved. When comparing the linear perspective in the two Last Supper, Da Vinci's mastery of the technique plays a more central role in creating his message. In Bouts' painting we can see the first signs of linear perspective. The ceiling beams appear to converge towards the top of the arched doorway while the walls also slope towards the entrance. Although Bouts uses linear perspective to some extent, it is not as refined or as reliable as that seen in Da Vinci's painting. In Leonardo's painting, da Vinci not only demonstrates the use of linear perspective through the checkerboard ceiling which gradually tapers into the background or converging walls, but he gives purpose to the use of linear perspective; placing the focal point above Christ to force the viewer to look there. Da Vinci uses the newly refined technique to emphasize the main subject of his painting, Christ, while Bouts appears to be attempting to understand the uses of linear perspective. Bouts' Last Supper contains an immense amount of background detail. The tiled floor features mosaic crosses in alternating patterns, wooden beams characterize the ceiling and the exterior landscape is visible through the windows. Also, the bread is placed in the middle of the table surrounded by cups of wine. Bouts' i...... middle of paper ......ts also refrains from highlighting any aspect of the painting, but instead illuminates the action of communion. All the apostles look at Christ's hands to see him break the bread, further highlighting the action of communion. Meanwhile, Leonardo da Vinci's painting focuses on the message that the Bible story teaches; on the sin of Judas. He sets up the painting so that Christ is in the foreground and the story behind Judas is emphasized, making Judas the easiest apostle to emphasize. Unlike Bouts' painting, the eyes of all the apostles in Leonardo da Vinci's painting, except Judas, are directed toward Christ, another factor contributing to the message of the greatness of sin's betrayal. Works cited by Gardner, Helen and Fred S. Kleiner. Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History. 14th ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2013. Print.