Joan Baez
Michael Fanone: Protector , 2021
20 x 14
in
While some have tried to paint the January 6, 2021 insurrection in Washington as a peaceful demonstration by normal Capitol "tourists," Joan Baez has countered this whitewash of history with a new painting -- a powerful portrait of D.C. police officer Michael Fanone, the telegenic, tattooed cop who was nearly killed while defending the Capitol from a horde of violent supporters of defeated President Donald Trump.
Since the siege, the charismatic officer has testified before congress, told his story countless times in the media and been on the cover of Time magazine. As part of her effort to keep the truth of that day in the public eye, Joan Baez is releasing this portrait as a limited-edition print.
The embattled, 40-year-old officer has been on leave from the Metropolitan Police Department while he heals from the serious physical injuries he suffered that day and continues to struggle with the psychological damage and emotional trauma of the violence. (Four of his fellow officers have committed suicide since the assault.)
Working from a photograph, Joan painted him in civilian clothes, his dark, intense eyes staring straight out from the canvas. "Protector" is written across the bottom of the frame above the infamous date, Jan. 6th. It's a striking image, as complex and complicated as the man himself.
The print, "Michael Fanone: Protector" is 20 x 14 inches and is in an edition of 200, signed and numbered by Joan Baez. The edition is available at $350 unframed plus $26 shipping in the US. Shipping in Europe will be calculated before processing.
25% of the proceeds will go to The Trauma Research Foundation.