Keith Haring Altarpiece 1990

Keith Haring completed his triptych altarpiece, “Life of Christ,” just weeks before his death from AIDS in February 1990. One of his last works, the altarpiece was donated to the cathedral in 1994 as part of the National AIDS Memorial in the Chapel of St. Savior. Haring’s carvings in the gold altarpiece feature his signature linear figures carved into the material. The altarpiece depicts the birth and death of Jesus Christ, the Resurrection, and the Last Judgement. Interestingly, Haring was brought up in a religious household and joined the Jesus Movement as a teenager. Some scholars believe that some of his works, including the Radiant Child graffiti tag, were influenced by his beliefs.