Acrylic on canvas board
"This was one of two studies I painted, based on the subject of a corpse being removed from the torture stake following his death. This was a common method of execution in the first century, usually reserved for those judged as criminals: archaeology suggests that Christ was murdered in this manner...nailed to an 'upright stake' or 'pole'...NOT 'crucified' on a 'cross' structure. I must say that the paintings (both this one and a larger version) were greatly influenced by the Beckmann painting of Christ being removed from the stake, painted during the early 20th century. As in it's larger counterpart, he corpses body is intentionally painted 'stiffly' on this smaller version of the subject...subliminally conveying the idea that there could still be 'life' in him. I was trying to convey a very 'Spanish' feel to this painting."
