Study for water maiden, "Christ the Carpenter" World War II portable altarpiece, for Philadelphia Naval Base Chapel
Date
c. 1944Medium
Charcoal and white pastel on light brown paperCredit Line
Gift of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 2015Dimensions
20 1/2 x 19 in.Description & Inscriptions
[lower right in red ink]: stamped signature / stamped monogram initials; [lower left in blue ink]: Left fig. triptych (Pool of Bethesda) [struck out]: Christ the Carpenter
One of Oakley's most impressive altarpieces was the monumental Christ the Carpenter for the Philadelphia Naval Yard Chapel, which portrays Jesus as a strong young man in a tunic building the hull of a ship. Beneath the workbench, his pet dog watches as he bears lumber onto his shoulder in a pose that foreshadows the carrying of the cross.
One of Oakley's most impressive altarpieces was the monumental Christ the Carpenter for the Philadelphia Naval Yard Chapel, which portrays Jesus as a strong young man in a tunic building the hull of a ship. Beneath the workbench, his pet dog watches as he bears lumber onto his shoulder in a pose that foreshadows the carrying of the cross.
