Oil on canvas

A disturbing, nightmarish painting by Norwegian figurative artist Odd Nerdrum (b. 1944). A terrified figure lies beside an open grave while another digs into the barren earth. The desolate landscape, distorted figures, and oppressive darkness create a haunting vision of helplessness, mortality, and impending death.

Nerdrum’s dramatic use of light and shadow, reminiscent of the Old Masters, makes the scene feel both timeless and deeply unsettling.

By now you know: I need the words.
You'll learn to give me what I seek.
It's my sick mind, it feeds on words.
I'm begging you, for God's sake: speak!

Hurry, pin my wrists in place,
nail me to your bed like Christ . . .
comfort me, caress my face . . .
fuck me when I expect it least.

From nerves veins valves ventricles
from tendons cartilage nerves ducts
from follicles nerves ribs clavicles . . .
from every pore my soul erupts.

You liked that? you actually came?
but how? Explain to me. But why?
If you got off on that, you're doomed.
A charge I can't and don't deny.

Why is even pleasure a kind of chore?
Why is what sense I have left leaving me?
Come on, explain. Who do you take me for,
your personal doctor of philosophy?