Stations of the Cross
The series Stations of the Cross was started in 1997. I was motivated
by a personal passion for the subject matter, and inspired visually
by the Henri Matisse Mural in the Chapel of the Rosary, Venice. The
process from conception to completion took over five years, including
photographs and many studies. This long preliminary process manifests
in the final paintings as a confidence of expression, derived from
an extensive knowledge and understanding of the subject. I used the
simplistic yet striking palette of black, white, red and magenta as
a way of describing the emotive significance of the acts on the way
to the crucifixion, and the tenderness afterwards.
With thanks to St Vedast for exhibiting these pictures.
I
Jesus is condemned to death by Pontius Pilate
II
Jesus takes up his Cross
III
Jesus falls for a first time
IV
Jesus meets his mother, Mary
V
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross
VI
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
VII
Jesus falls for the second time
VIII
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
IX
Jesus falls for a third time
X
Jesus is stripped of his garments
XI
Jesus is nailed to the Cross
XII
Jesus dies on his Cross
XIII
Jesus is taken down from his Cross
XIV
Jesus is laid in the tomb
'The Stations of the Cross' by David Somerville
St Vedast Church, Foster Lane, London EC1
