The Last Supper 1958

Barbara Chase-Riboud made "The Last Supper," a bronze sculpture that invites reflection on themes of betrayal and solidarity. As an African American artist, Chase-Riboud has often explored the intersections of race, power, and history in her work. Here, instead of a traditional, Eurocentric depiction of the biblical scene, she presents a row of mask-like figures, each unique in its expression. The rough texture of the bronze and the stylized forms evoke a sense of ancient ritual, almost as if we are looking at relics from a forgotten civilization. The horizontal arrangement of the figures beneath the broken form suggests a shared destiny. Chase-Riboud once said, "I'm interested in history, but I'm more interested in the present." With this sculpture, Chase-Riboud transforms a well-known story into a universal meditation on human relationships, inviting us to consider the many forms betrayal and companionship can take.