In her op-ed, renowned art historian Isabelle Saint-Martin argues that the controversy over the alleged offense to Christians during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games is unfounded. She emphasizes that the scene, featuring DJ Barbara Butch surrounded by drag queens, is not a mockery of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper,” but rather a creative reimagining akin to Jan Harmensz van Bijlert’s interpretation of the “Feast of the Olympian Gods.”
Saint-Martin points out that the artistic director, Thomas Jolly, clarified the intent behind the performance, which was to celebrate diversity and artistic expression. Despite the backlash, she suggests that the criticism primarily stems from a vocal segment within the Catholic community that tends to react strongly to perceived blasphemy. She also highlights how the controversy was amplified by social media, particularly a tweet from far-right politician Marion Maréchal that compared the performance to da Vinci’s masterpiece.
Ultimately, Saint-Martin calls for understanding and forgiveness, echoing the sentiments of singer-actor Philippe Katerine. She concludes that the uproar is a misinterpretation, urging readers to appreciate the performance’s artistic value rather than focusing on a misperceived offense.
