admirable quality. Along with his commitment to painting and what he believes is aesthetically pleasing, the work welcomes a multitude of complex interpretations. In "Blue Blood II," the viewer's attention is drawn to composition as the subject is placed in an unorthodox position. The blue blood that flows from the stigmata wound seems to drip off the canvas. That drop of blood hangs precariously from the tip of the left shoulder, flowing extraordinarily against the skin and guiding the eyes to the arch of the neck and lean of the body. Another noteworthy painting is "Senza Pieta," which is Nagel's rendition of French painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau's 1876 work, "Pieta." This painting suggests the Artist's desire to summons an overt challenge to his practice, which usually involves a sole female subject. A consistent visual theme of women set against black backgrounds allows for sheer focus and a regal stillness. Black paint is another constant throughout his work: delicately painted against the body and hands as shown in "The Calming," which proves to be an exercise in capturing the brilliance of light reflected onto a subject.