Mixed media oilgraph on canvas with blood // 36” x 36"

In this Station we see Jesus falling beneath His cross. Does He reach out to protect Himself or in frustration of having let go of His burden?

“So soon...
(It wasn't to be this soon)

He barely made the first hill
(I thought I could)

This is not Messiah
Messiah will overthrow the nations
Messiah will put our enemies to the sword
and give us our own kingdom

Messiah?
His followers will return to fishing
and his name will be forgotten by winter

Look at him tremble
(I can't)

Is that fear?
Are those tears?
Get up!
You block the road!
What is it?

Or did God at last
create the rock
he could not lift?”

***

This was the most dangerous Station to photograph since Paolo had to be directly under a 300 pound cross. Despite numerous tests to ensure the cross would not move, it was a nervous shoot and finished as quickly as possible. The soldier was swapped out for a better take of his.

This was also the first challenge in the painting process because once all of the background was painted out, the image floated in a field of pure white untethered to anything. So I painted in an artificial horizon that became a motif throughout the series.

CAST
JESUS: Paolo Durrazzo
SOLDIER: Cameron Church