Many Christians Recognize This Picture, But What’s The Story?

Oct 26, 2017

Titles:1. Do You Know the Story Behind This Famous Christian Picture?2. Many Christians Recognize This Picture, But What’s The Story?3. Familiarity Isn’t Everything: What’s This Iconic Christian Picture’s Story?Jesus’s face hangs in homes, wallets, cars, and institutions everywhere. The image is familiar to many, but few understand the significance of it.Did you assume the work was completed by a celebrated artist in biblical times? Think again. American artist Warner Sallman painted the piece along with over five hundred others. Jesus’s face became his ticket to fame. Copied over 500,000 times, this 1924 masterpiece was originally titled “The Son of Man.” During a late work night at Warner’s place, the artist fell asleep mid-painting. As a sort of omen, the famous image of Jesus appeared to him while he dreamed. Upon waking, he sketched it in charcoal and eventually painted it in oils. Years later, in 1940, the famous version of the work was unveiled to the public and titled “Head of Christ.” The luminous work of art started rapidly gaining popularity. It began a publishing debut in magazines, books, and hymnals.During WWII, soldiers adopted the images as tokens to leave at home with family for safekeeping. Although he may not have fathomed it at the time, Sallman contributed greatly to the religious art community. Others of his works are included in religious texts as well.A man of stoic opinions, his art allowed him to connect the community with Christianity and the God he perceived to be loving, comforting, balanced and gentle. Sallman’s portrayal of Christ will continue to outlive him and to bring peace to individuals worldwide.