A prime example of Condo’s dramatic intensity, the painting Dismas showcases the artist’s deep exploration of portrait psychology and symbolism. In this work, Condo reimagines one of Western art’s most enduring iconographies—the figure of Dismas, the repentant thief crucified alongside Jesus. Traditionally depicted beside Christ, Dismas is transformed by Condo into a character of intense emotional turmoil. His haggard face, twisted in a painful grimace, mirrors the anguish of his fate, while a bright spotlight theatrically illuminates his form against a dark, almost oppressive background. In this light, the outlaw transcends his biblical origins, evolving into a fantastical creature within Condo’s unique universe.

The figure of Dismas, floating seemingly out of the darkness, evokes the imagery of quattrocento frescoes, while also referencing the dramatic use of color and composition found in the works of Francisco Goya. His levitating presence recalls the ethereal figures in Marc Chagall’s canvases and the visceral, otherworldly beings that inhabit the early works of Francis Bacon. Through these references, Condo creates a powerful synthesis of religious symbolism and contemporary sensibility, offering a reimagined narrative that blends the sacred with the surreal.