The element of line is one of the most familiar in the study of art and design and is often associated with drawing. We easily recognize the act of pulling a pencil across paper as the making of a line but it is also true that the pencil itself is a line and less obviously, that simply pointing the pencil in the direction of the paper implies an invisible line. We can see implied line used to direct the viewer’s attention in Leonardo da Vinci’s 15th century mural The Last Supper. The apostles’ gestures and gazes move the audience through the composition, leading us to Christ at the center of the composition. Perspective lines also converge to a single vanishing point just behind Christ’s head. The exception is Thomas whose upward pointed index finger indicates heavenly ascent.
