Olympic scandal: a performance based on the painting "The Last Supper" and a mockery of religion?

The Olympic Games had barely begun when a global scandal erupted. During the opening ceremony, the organizers presented a performance that world media claimed was based on motifs depicted in Leonardo da Vinci’s «The Last Supper».

Drag queens and transgender people in bright costumes participated in the performance, sparking a storm of emotions among the audience, who perceived an anti-Christian message and mockery. 

“It was extremely disrespectful to Christians,” Elon Musk tweeted.

The Catholic Church in France also condemned the ceremony for containing “scenes of mockery of Christianity”. 

Consequently, the organizers issued a public apology. 

But was the performance really based on Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”? Did it indeed parody Jesus and his 12 apostles on the eve of his crucifixion?

“You will not find in my work a desire to denigrate anyone or anything,” Jolly stated. The theme of the Olympic Games and the gods of Olympus seems logical, don’t you agree?

The motif of “The Last Supper” is very well known, so it’s not at all surprising that the audience immediately began to see it in the production. However, the image for the performance was taken from a painting by Jan van Bijlert called “The Feast of the Gods,” which depicts pagan gods gathered on Mount Olympus.

The painting is currently housed in the French city of Dijon.

“The Feast of the Gods” was painted after “The Last Supper,” and Jan van Bijlert was likely inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s work. 

If you look closely at the details of the performance, you can see similarities with “The Feast of the Gods,” not “The Last Supper”: the number of participants and the seven-ray crown (solar halo).

In the production, there’s also a man painted in blue, interpreted as the god of wine-making and fertility, Dionysus. 

“The interpretation of the Greek god Dionysus helps us understand the absurdity of violence between people,” wrote the official website of the Olympic Games. 

While “The Last Supper” is more recognizable than “The Feast of the Gods,” judging by the context of the event, the elements of the performance, and the statements of the organizers, it was indeed the motif of “The Feast of the Gods” that was showcased at the opening of the Olympics

Prepared by Dmytro Filipchuk.