Dali Painting Labeled 'Junk' by Theologian

Commenting on Salvador Dali's "The Last Supper," University Professor Paul J. Tillich has been quoted by this week's Time Magazine as saying, "Simply junk!"

Tillich, in a speech to the Institute of Contemporary Arts, described the painting as representative of the very worst in "what is called the religious revival of today."

Dali's "Last Supper," which is presently hanging in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, depicted Jesus as "a sentimental but very good athlete on an American baseball team," according to Tillich. He concluded, "The technique is a beautifying naturalism of the worst kind. I am horrified by it."

The Weekly News Magazine reported that Dali had misunderstood Tillich's comment about the painting being junk and quoted the artist, saying in rebuttal, "I have been drinking mineral water exclusively for more than ten years."