story is that when she left the ghetto in pursuit of her freedom, she discovered she had gotten nowhere," he explains.

In this fantastic sequence of paintings, the character appears naked under the seductive lace of her wedding dress, hoping that by marrying Ogun (St James) she would be set free.

Severino incorporates a mirror that reflects what the women in the painting are living. The young woman would criticize her mother, only to discover with her own marriage that her mother-warden was also a prisoner."

In all his paintings, the eyes of his women are the focal points. "I place the point of light that the other sees, that indicates where she is focusing," he said, describing his technique. "My paintings are always looking at you. If not, then I have made a mistake."

Despite being his companion for the better part of his life, one set of eyes that Severino has not dared depict on his canvas are those of his wife. He has never used her as a model. Why? "Superstition. Those I have painted I have lost."