Leonardo changed the traditional placement of figures. In Leonardo's version, Judas is part of the group, third to the left of Jesus. Jesus sits at the middle of the table, the others to his left and right. The artist explained that he was having difficulty visualizing the face of a man as evil as Judas. Ceiling lines extend into the painted room.
Diagonal lines mark the place where wall and ceiling meet.
The table and tablecloth, dishes, and glassware in the painting were like the ones used by monks during their meals, giving the impression that Jesus and His disciples were actually in the same room. Judas is clutching a money pouch in one hand. As portrayed by Leonardo, Jesus is a sorrowful figure, His eyes downcast. His head is silhouetted against a window behind Him. Since He is facing onlookers, both of His arms seem to be spread toward them.