Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper is regarded by many as his greatest painting. It took three years of painstaking effort and there are many tales of intrigue that lie behind the magnificent mural painted on the wall of a refectory in Milan. We share the story of an artist's work that was nearly lost -- more than once.

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Leonardo and The Last Supper: Ross King

Most of the men portrayed in Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper seem tremendously agitated and definitely not enjoying their meal. It's thought Da Vinci was showing the disciples at the exact moment Jesus explains that one will soon betray him.

In the years since, the painting itself has been victim to many betrayals. It began deteriorating almost as soon as Da Vinci finished it. A doorway was cut through it, French troops may have vandalized it, an Allied bomb just missed it. And yet, pitted and damaged as it may be, it's one of the most recognized paintings in the world. A masterpiece.

In his new book, Canadian author Ross King walks us through the political climate of da Vinci's late 15th century Milan and gives an intimate portrait of one of art's greatest masters. The book is entitled Leonardo and The Last Supper, and it's this year's recipient of the Governor General's Literary Award for Non-Fiction. Ross King wa in Oxford, England.

This segment was produced by The Current's Lara O'Brien.

Hallelujah Mail

Last Friday, we celebrated the history and culture behind Leonard Cohen's anthem, Hallelujah with author Alan Light. And Alan distilled for us the message behind this oft performed classic.

And that resonated in the heart of Devora de Jonge. She lives in Chelsea, Quebec and sent us this note:

My son Alan often used to listen to Jeff Buckley's version. He was a drummer and his brothers and father would play it with him occasionally. After he died in a tree planting accident, his older brother banged out an incredible rendition on our piano. It summed up so well how much we all miss him.

It's a winter wonderland outside my door and close to Christmas -- a time tinged with sadness but also great happiness. The beauty of that song is how incredibly it sums up the great joys and sorrows of life that are incredibly intertwined ... and how impossible it is to have one without the other.

Well Jeff Buckley's version received a lot of votes for favourite cover. It was a close race, but Kd lang was also a strong contender.

To add to anything you hear on The Current, email us from our website. Tweet us at @TheCurrentCBC. Or find us on Facebook - facebook.com/cbcthecurrent.

Other segments from today's show:

A Kosher Christmas: Rabbi Joshua Plaut

Auschwitz Artist: Dina Babbit (Repeat)