| Greek, Renaissance and Baroque represent the height of
Western Art, which was always based on using the human figure as the
ultimate form of expression. Joseph Sheppard's work follows in this
tradition. Having heard, read and seen photographs of the Holocaust
horror, he has always had intense feelings about it. After receiving this
commission, he visited the Dachau concentration camp and upon returning to
his studio in Italy, this sculpture emerged.
The sculpture represents the flame of death that offered the only escape from suffering for the Holocaust victims. In the flame, he depicts their images particular to their tragedy; old and young, male and female, starved, broken and naked. After the next generation there will be no more living eyewitnesses to the tragedy. This monument will be a grim reminder of the horror and will contribute to the prevention of any possible recurrence. |
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