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 (55 items)

Ellsworth Kelly, Yellow, 1964-1965, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Woodward Foundation, 1977.48.30
Yellow
Date1964-1965
lithograph
Not on view
Ellsworth Kelly, Red Blue, 1964, screenprint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Woodward Foundation, 1977.48.28
Red Blue
Date1964
screenprint
Not on view
Ellsworth Kelly, Red over Yellow, 1964-1965, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Woodward Foundation, 1977.48.29
Red over Yellow
Date1964-1965
lithograph
Not on view

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