The Submission 

Danny Galieote painted 'The Submission' sometime in the 20th century, seemingly with traditional oil paints on canvas. The technique evokes the Old Masters, with careful attention to light and shadow, particularly on the skin and drapery. But Galieote brings this highly refined approach to bear on a peculiar subject: a modern take on the Pietà, but in this version, Mary cradles not the dead Christ, but a luchador wearing a devil mask. The smooth handling of the paint lends a tactile quality to the scene, but also intensifies the strangeness of the juxtaposition. The artist here takes something familiar – a powerful image of maternal compassion – and defamiliarizes it with the imagery of contemporary professional wrestling. What are we to make of this bizarre combination? Are we to view this work as a commentary on the relationship between faith and spectacle, or a meditation on the vulnerability hidden behind the mask of a macho culture? The answer may be different for everyone. The important thing is to recognize that a painting can be so much more than just oil on canvas.