Lanier Christian Smith, convicted in Texas for the brutal 1986 murder of three sisters of the Order of St. Cyprian was finally executed in the spring of 2012. After years of petitions, appeals and 2 eleventh hour friend of the court briefs, Smith was put to rest by lethal injection in the smaller of two Windward Correctional Center execution chambers.

 The fact that he was innocent seems to have bothered no one.

Portrait of Lanier Christian Smith Shorty Before (or after) his Execution by Lethal Injection. 2012. Currado Malaspina

Like Twinkies and monogamy the French look at America’s continued use of capital punishment as evidence of its cultural barbarism. Jean-Claude Panique, the eminent social historian and author of the classic “Pourquoi suis-je le droit” (Gaufres Editions, 2000) describes the United States as “a country of “God toting, gun fearing fatsos” (dondons brutal peur de dieu).


The French, (where 20% of the population typically vote for the xenophobic ultra-right wing Front National), are indeed quite charming in their ability to state the obvious.

Which brings me to my good friend Currado Malaspina.

Unsatisfied with the predictable jingoistic carping that masquerades as discourse in his beloved country, Currado has set out to research and record the sad citizens of America’s Death Row. Like Tocqueville before him he finds much to admire in the American people and his recent project is more of an expression of love than a cynical swipe at a glaring target.


Portraits of the Damned (Visages des damnés) is a series of quick and poignant sketches of convicted killers. When I saw these works for the first time I was literally moved to tears. Currado, like Virgil, takes us on a horrifying tour of human refuse. And like Dante’s damned, in Currado’s hand, each sinner’s image is tinted in a shroud of frailty and warmth.