Millions of Christians recognize the religious painting known as the "Head of Christ", of which an estimated 500 million prints have been sold. Very few, however, know the artist, Warner E. Sallman. Sallman's lack of notoriety in professional art circles can be explained by the fact that he made little or no attempt to put himself forward as a Chicago -- or even a Swedish-American -- artist. He had no exhibitions of his works, and his public life consisted largely of appearances before church and community groups to do chalk drawings. More important was his own attitude regarding personal fame. Sallman let the Christ he painted be in the foreground. The artist remained in the background."The time has come", argues Jack R. Lundbom, "for a broader public to know the man who stands behind the paintings and other artwork bearing the Sallman signature". Master Painter is a fascinating story of a gifted man with humble beginnings who overcame disappointment, ill health, and personal limitations in order to live out a vision: that his art serve not only the enjoyment of humankind, but the practical end of instructing persons in the ways of God. Readers who know the art can now know the artist. It is a story eminently worth telling and one a broad public will be interested to know.
- ISBN10 1498223419
- ISBN13 9781498223416
- Publish Date 19 March 2015 (first published 3 December 2005)
- Publish Status Active
- Imprint Wipf & Stock Publishers
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 366
- Language English