Once Where We Looked to put Down 

Eric Fischl created this evocative painting of a man carrying a woman inside a church-like space, sometime in the recent past. The scene depicts a drama, but it's a deliberately ambiguous one. Fischl is an American artist whose work often captures moments of unease and uncertainty in contemporary life. His paintings frequently explore themes of suburban life and sexuality. In this work, Fischl references the traditional art-historical motif of the ‘Deposition,’ which is Christ’s removal from the cross. However, in this secular setting, the viewer is left to wonder about the nature of the relationship between the two figures and the circumstances that led to this moment. Understanding Fischl’s work requires us to consider the socio-political context in which it was created. The art of the 1980s and 90s was very self-aware, often engaging with the politics of representation and the legacy of historical painting. By referencing religious art in a secular context, Fischl invites us to reflect on the changing role of religion and traditional values in contemporary society. Analyzing Fischl’s work through the lens of social and institutional history sheds light on its deeper cultural significance.