Iceman Crucified #4

Ralph Fasanella, Iceman Crucified #4, 1958, oil on canvas, 3625 in. (91.463.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the estate of Ralph Fasanella, 2013.69, © 1958, Estate of Ralph Fasanella

Artwork Details

Title
Iceman Crucified #4
Date
1958
Dimensions
3625 in. (91.463.5 cm)
Copyright
© 1958, Estate of Ralph Fasanella
Credit Line
Gift of the estate of Ralph Fasanella
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Religion — New Testament — Crucifixion
  • Occupation — service
  • Italian
  • Figure male
  • Figure group
Object Number
2013.69

Artwork Description

The Iceman Crucified series encapsulates some of Fasanella’s most powerful and poignant artistic themes. His father—Joe the Iceman—is cast as the crucified Christ to explore ideas of suffering and sacrifice, memory and personal growth. The series was a turning point for Fasanella; his artistic vision broke free from the confines of realism and his imagery became deeply personal.

As a child, Ralph worked alongside his father on his ice delivery route, putting in long hard days on tough streets. Iceman Crucified #4 was the final work in and pinnacle of the series. In it Fasanella encompasses old and new worlds and is simultaneously nostalgic and celebratory. The Christ figure is transformed into a heroic presence, serene and full of grace. The traditional INRI is replaced with the phrase that came to be equated with the artist himself: “Lest We Forget”—a clear message to viewers to remember who we are and where we come from.

Works by this artist (3 items)

Ralph Fasanella, Iceman Crucified #4, 1958, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the estate of Ralph Fasanella, 2013.69, © 1958, Estate of Ralph Fasanella
Iceman Crucified #4
Date1958
oil on canvas
On view
Ralph Fasanella, The Corner Butcher, 1968, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Labor Heritage Foundation's Fasanella Public Domain Project in memory of David W. Gelios, 2015.9, © 1968, Estate of Ralph Fasanella
The Corner Butcher
Date1968
oil on canvas
On view
Ralph Fasanella, Modern Times, 1966, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Maurice and Margo Cohen, Birmingham, MI, 2002.10, © 1966, Estate of Ralph Fasanella
Modern Times
Date1966
oil on canvas
Not on view

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