A spokesperson for the Paris 2024 Olympics did in fact admit that the controversial drag show version of “The Last Supper” seen during Friday’s opening ceremony was indeed inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic mural. This admission follows an initial attempt to vehemently deny the connection amid fierce backlash, according to the New York Post.
“Thomas Jolly took inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting to create the setting,” the spokesperson said in a statement to The Post on Saturday, referring to the opening ceremony’s creative director. “He is not the first artist to make a reference to what is a world-famous work of art. From Andy Warhol to ‘The Simpsons,’ many have done it before him.”
The admission came after the Paris Olympics previously claimed on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the performance was misunderstood and denied any inspiration from the Christian mural. Initially, representatives insisted Jolly was not parodying the artwork featuring Jesus and the 12 apostles, but rather paying homage to Greek mythology and the Feast of Dionysus.
As the controversy continued, the spokesperson reached out to The Post with an “updated statement” on Monday, which included explanations from Jolly himself. This new statement notably omitted any mention of “The Last Supper” or da Vinci, instead describing the segment as depicting “a great paean feast in which the gods of Olympus take part.” In the foreground, it featured the god of wine — father of Sequana, goddess of the Seine — portrayed comically by singer Philippe Katherine. This moment involved a nearly naked man painted blue, served on an oversized platter in front of the performers.
The controversial segment included 17 performers, among them three familiar “Drag Race France” competitors, posed behind what appeared to be a long table. French DJ Barbara Butch, an LGBT activist, was also featured prominently, sporting a halo-like headpiece.
The performance has sparked significant backlash from Christian communities, including former President Donald Trump, who labeled the spectacle “a disgrace.” The Bishops’ Conference of France, representing the country’s Catholic bishops, condemned the performance as “scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity, which we deeply deplore.”
Adding to the confusion, Jolly also claimed that his inspiration for the performance was a 17th-century painting titled “The Feast of the Gods” by Dutch artist Jan van Bijlert, which depicts Greek gods of Olympus gathered around a long table.
Despite various explanations and denials, Olympic organizers issued an apology on Sunday for any “offense” caused by the scene, asserting there was “never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group” and emphasizing the intent to “celebrate community tolerance.” Notably, the apology did not acknowledge the connection to da Vinci’s famous work.
