Warner Sallman

Warner Sallman (April 30, 1892 – May 25, 1968) was a Christian painter from Chicago. He created commercial advertising images and worked as a freelance illustrator. He is most associated with his portrait, Head of Christ of which more than 500 million copies have been sold. In 1994, the New York Times wrote he is likely to be voted the "best-known artist of the century".

Biography

Warner Elias Sallman was the eldest of three children born to Elias Sallman and Christiane (Larson) Sallman who were immigrants from Finland and Sweden. He trained by apprenticing in local studios while attending the Chicago Art Institute at night. There he became a protégé of Walter Marshall Cluett, a newspaper illustrator noted for his work during the Spanish American War. He initially was affiliated with local studios until he opened his own. In 1916, he married Ruth Anderson, whom he met while both were singing in the church choir.

Paintings

Sallman is best known for his Head of Christ, which was designed in 1941, and has sold over 500 million copies that are used in churches of several Christian denominations, as well as for private devotional use.