Jesus falls the second time
- Artist: Bruce Onobrakpeya
- Date: 1969
- Medium: Linocut on paper
- Dimensions: image: 241 x 589 mm
- Museum: Tate Modern
- Collection record: Tate Modern website
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About this artwork
This is the “Jesus falls the second time” by Nigerian artist Bruce Onobrakpeya, created in 1969. It’s a linocut on paper in a long, landscape shape, part of a fourteen‑print series that re‑imagines the Stations of the Cross in an African setting. In this scene, Jesus has just fallen once more on the road to Calvary. The apostles are dressed in brightly patterned Adire cloth, while the men restraining him wear colonial‑era police uniforms, giving a striking visual dialogue between tradition and history.
The colour palette leans on blues and greens, accented with yellow and orange highlights, while geometric patterns echo Nigerian textiles and architecture, framing the crosses that dominate each image. Though each print can stand alone, the series was meant to be viewed as a whole, capturing the full narrative arc from condemnation to crucifixion. This piece offers a powerful blend of faith, culture, and printmaking innovation.
See it in person
Jesus falls the second time is in the collection of Tate Modern on Bankside, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
