Warner E. Sallman Art Collection, Inc.
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Collecting, Preserving, Displaying Warner Sallman Art

Warner Sallman, the Master Painter, was born April 30,1892 and lived in Chicago where he was trained as a commercial artist at the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1916 he married Ruth Anderson and they had three sons, Everett, James and Richard. Mr. Sallman died May 25,1968.

 


THE HEAD OF CHRIST
In 1924 Warner Sallman was commissioned to design the cover page of a new Mission Covenant youth publication, The Covenant Companion. On the eve of his deadline, his work still incomplete, he went to bed restless in spirit. In the middle of the night, an image appeared vividly in his mind's eye, and Sallman got up and drew a small sketch which would become the original charcoal drawing called "Son of Man".

In 1940 he reproduced that painting in oil, which quickly became very popular and is now known as the "Head of Christ". According to the July 9th, 2007 issue of Newsweek Magazine, it has been reproduced over 1 billion times, including wallet cards that were given to our service men and women in World War II.
 

 

 

COLLECTING
Warner Sallman painted over 500 original works of art. It is important that these and other related items including stories, correspondence, and memorabilia be collected and preserved. His art can be found and enjoyed in schools, offices, churches and homes, yet some may be lost or misplaced. Our goal is to collect art which is not displayed, and does not have a permanent home.


PRESERVING
Some of the current collection of Sallman art is housed in the Archives of the Brandel Library on the Campus of North Park University in Chicago along with the collections of The Evangelical Covenant Church, North Park Univesity, and The Swedish American Historical Society. This facility, with a full-time archivist, has reference rooms and a display area open for viewing, and is a state-of-the-art climate-controlled environment.

DISPLAYING
It is our purpose to tell the Warner Sallman story and display his popular images and their stories. Program presentations are given at various venues around the United States. In that the art is laden with profound spiritual and devotional value and impact, many people have been blessed and nurtured by it.

YOUR GIFT
To extend the legacy of Warner Sallman and maintain The Warner E. Sallman Art Collection, Inc., we rely on the generosity of those who have special interest in preserving our heritage and Sallman's paintings. The Collection is self supporting, and has no other funds from which to draw. Therefore your gift is very important to this initiative, and would be very much appreciated. Please visit the Legacy Donation page.


ART
If you know of an original Warner Sallman oil, charcoal, chalk drawing, maybe in your church, home, or attic, or would like to gift a piece of Warner Sallman art, we would appreciate hearing from you.

ON SITE PRESENTATIONS
We are availble to give a Warner Sallman powerpoint presentation, 40-60 minutes in duration, entitled THE MASTER PAINTER. It includes over one hundred sixty slides, and appropriate scripture. It is both inspirational and informational. This appeals to all groups, clubs and organizations. Contact LeRoy Carlson for further details. Please visit the Exhibits page

CHRISTMAS CARDS and NOTE CARDS 
Now available and for sale is a beautiful Christmas card and Note card with Warner Sallman's WINTER IN SWEDEN which he drew in 1919. It is a 5 x 7 inch snowy cottage scene, red in color, with a verse "May the warmth of Christmas be with you throughout the year", and Luke 2:11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord".

The cards come 12 in a box and sell for $9.95. Illinois residents must include 9% sales tax. The shipping and handling charge is $2.00 per box.

We also have the same image 8 1/2" x 11" suitable for framing in a frame of your choice. Frames not included

Small wallet sized Sallman images, including the "Head of Christ", "Christ in Gethsemane", "Christ at Dawn", "Christ Knocking at Heart's Door", "His Presence", and "Portrait of Jesus", are also available at .50 cents each. Please visit the Gift Shop page.