When people talk about the quintessential Mormon artists, there are two main names that come up: Arnold Friberg and Minerva Teichert.
Arnold Friberg is best known among Mormons for the painting reproductions that appear in just about every available copy of the Book of Mormon. His super-muscular heroic figure drawings are instantly recognizable. However, his artwork figured prominently in other important places as well. Fifteen of his paintings provided a basis for the costumes in Cecil B. DeMille’s famous movie “The Ten Commandments.”
You can read biographies of him here, here , here and here.
During the past ten years or so, Minerva Teichert’s artistic presence in the lives of Mormons has exploded. Her artworks are found in chapels, temples, church magazines and books, church museums, church university campuses (particularly BYU), books, etc. Her impressionistic style is also instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with her work.
You can read biographies of her here, here, here , here and here.
So I feel inspired to run another poll.
Note: A massive “Mormon Cultural Tournament” is taking place over at BCC: and admittedly this poll is inspired by the fact that a number of commenters expressed ignorance of Minerva Teichert’s identity. Shocking. Really.
1Connor on Dec 11, 2006 at 5:28 pm:
Who is Minerva Teichert?
2Clark on Dec 11, 2006 at 7:31 pm:
Teichert is by far the better artist, but due to the style of her work she’s far less approachable by the average Mormon.
3annegb on Dec 12, 2006 at 10:45 am:
They are equal in my eyes.
4cew-smoke on Dec 12, 2006 at 11:43 am:
Clark: I could not disagree with you more. Just because Teichert’s art is more “modern” in no way makes her the better artist. I can’t stand it when people think that more literal artists are somehow inferior to impressionistic artists (who some think are the only “real” artists).
Coming from an art background I can tell you that painting impressionistically can have more of an emotional impact on people, because it allows for personal interpretation. However, classical painting especially with the eye for amazing detail that Friberg has is FAR more difficult to create.
Don’t judge his work by the small pieces stuck in the pages of the BoM. Actively search out his more prestigious work and you will be floored by his detail. For a great example of this take a look at his piece entitled “The Finding of Moses”.
Believe me though, I am in no way disparaging Teichert’s work. She has an amazing way of making her paintings both soft and stark at the same time. “Jesus Christ is the God of That Land” is a perfect example of her expertise.
Keeping in mind their different styles, both artists are extremely talented and worthy of serious note. Whether one is better than the other is a non-question. The real question is completely subjective and that is, which artist do you like better.
5Clark on Dec 12, 2006 at 4:27 pm:
I don’t think she’s the better artist because she’s more “modern.” And I like literal art, btw.
6cew-smoke on Dec 12, 2006 at 5:46 pm:
{sigh}
Clark: I went back and re-read my post and I am unhappy with how it came off. Only the first sentence was meant to be directed toward you. I should have seperated that paragraph up and only said that I disagreed with you, but not using such a direct comment.
I apologize for coming off like I was attacking you. The rest of that first paragraph was just a frustrated comment to the world kind of thing.
I’m kind of a grumpy person and I think my words are often overly sharp and I don’t proof read like I should with an eye for emotional impact.
So anyway, this is my poor attempt at saying sorry.