The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City holds the “Life of Christ” triptych, one of the final works by artist Keith Haring.
The piece represents a rare intersection of contemporary pop art and traditional religious space. Because it was created during the artist's final days, it serves as a poignant reflection on faith and mortality.
Haring produced the work in the final weeks of his life in early 1990 [1], [2]. After he died at age 31 [1], Yoko Ono donated the artwork to the cathedral to honor his legacy [2].
The triptych was originally sculpted from clay before being cast in bronze and white gold [1]. It is a massive installation, weighing over 600 pounds [1]. This work is part of a small group of original pieces donated to churches, totaling three [1].
Inside Edition said the piece was made from clay and then cast in bronze and white gold, weighing over 600 pounds [1]. The artwork remains a permanent fixture within the U.S. cathedral, blending Haring's distinct visual language with the spiritual atmosphere of the site.
Yahoo News staff said Yoko Ono donated the work to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine after Haring’s death [2]. The donation ensured that one of the most personal religious reflections of the artist's career would remain accessible to the public in a setting that mirrors its intended purpose.
“The piece was made from clay and then cast in bronze and white gold, weighing over 600 pounds.”
The presence of the “Life of Christ” triptych in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine highlights the transition of Keith Haring's work from the streets of New York to institutional and sacred spaces. By placing a piece cast in precious metals within a cathedral, the donation elevates Haring's late-career religious exploration to the status of permanent ecclesiastical art.
