Joe the Iceman

This 1958 painting, The Iceman Crucified by Ralph Fasanella hangs in the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC. (SAAM 2013.69)

Ralph Fasanella cast his father, "Joe the Iceman," as the crucified Christ to explore ideas of suffering and sacrifice and to portray the working man as a persevering hero. Fasanella's parents were Italian immigrants who instilled in their son the values of work and solidarity. He became an artist who ardently championed labor and the common folk, "Lest We Forget" was Fasanella's impassioned plea to always honor the sacrifices of our forebears. -- SAAM

Baseball

 

Icewagon

R. Fasanella 1958

See also: Ralph Fasanella: Lest We Forget at SAAM.