Do you recognize this piece of art?
Odds are pretty good that you do. Perhaps this picture was on the wall at your Grandmother’s house or your home church. You might even have the picture on your wall. It is one of the most reproduced pictures of the 20th Century.
But do you know the story behind it?
Painted by Rhoda Nyberg, this famous portrait is from a photograph taken in 1918 by Mrs. Nyberg’s father, Eric Enstrom, a photographer from Bovey, Minnesota.
Popular evangelical blogger Justin Taylor recently did some research on the famous piece and here is what he discovered…
Is it a photo or a painting?
It was originally a photo, and it was later painted in oils.
What’s the name of the painting?
“Grace.”
Who is the man in the photo?
Charles Wilden, a peddler who sold foot-scrapers.
What year was it taken?
1918.
Who took the photo?
Eric Enstrom.
Where was it taken?
In Enstrom’s photography studio in Bovey, Minnesota.
What happened?
Wilden, selling foot-scrapers, called upon Enstrom. Enstrom was in the midst of preparing a portfolio of photos for the upcoming Minnesota Photographer’s Association convention. Wilden agreed to be photographed, and Enstrom arranged a table with a bread, a knife, a bowl of gruel, spectacles, and a Bible, asking Wilden to bow in prayer. Enstrom later said, “I wanted to take a picture that would show people that even though they had to do without many things because of the war they still had much to be thankful for.”
Who did the oil painting?
Enstrom’s daughter, Mrs. Rhoda Nyberg of Coleraine, Minnesota. She painted numerous paintings of the original photo.
What about the similar picture of the old woman bowed in prayer?
It, too, is a photo, called “Gratitude,” taken in the 1960s by Jack Garren, who owned a Christian bookstore in Centralia, Illinois. The subject is Mrs. Myrtle Copple (d. 1975), and the photo was designed to complement “Grace.” The two are often packaged together: “Grace and Gratitude.”
Hi is the painting by Rhonda Nyberg in oil valuable The praying man GRACE
is oil painting valuable Grace
Tyrone, I’m not sure if it is valuable or not.
I have this picture in my home that I found in a yard sale. I love it and am so happy to find information behind this treasured picture.
Marilyn, I’m not seeing this picture near as much as when I was a young person. In fact, I’m not sure I can name a home in which this classic is on the wall. Glad to know there is at least one home out there that still recognizes the simple beauty of this work of art.
Thanks for commenting!
You will be happy to know that I know of 3 others. I first saw the picture when I got married almost 20 years ago. Two of my sister-in-law’s displayed it. I just saw a Christmas picture of a friend on facebook and in the background was Grace! I asked her if she had any background on it and she did! I was thrilled and looked up more information then as I had something to go on. So, there are 4 of us, Brett that I know of.
I have two of Grace and one of Gratitude displayed in my home. Though I do not recall seeing either in anybody else’s home.
5, I have both Grace and Gratitude above my dining room table…in the mid to late 60′s my aunt had Grace above her kitchen table… I loved pretending he was having a snack with me… In the 90′s I ran across Gratitude at a book store and passed her by… A couple years ago while going through my husband’s late aunt’s estate I found Grace but in very poor condition. However, it put me on a hunt for Gratitude…I mentioned it to a few family members and last year for Christmas I received beautiful new copies of both… they are now in matching frames and will forever hang above my table…I may even someday, once again pretend that we are having a snack together! I love them!
i have grace been hanging in my dinning room. i bought it in the 80′s from a lady who sold it because it belonged to her husbands deceased wife
It was an act of grace for you to take off her hands, or a lack of grace causing her to get rid of it! Thanks for sharing, Connie.
My grandparents are 92 and moved “to town” this past fall. I asked for and was given their copy of “Grace.” It is in the original frame and has a paper thin backing. I also received their kitchen table and chairs, which I found out they purchased when they married, 65+ years ago. They would have been young children when this photograph was taken and I’m kind of in awe about having it in my own tiny kitchen. It is definitely a reminder to be thankful for what I have.
My mother loved both of these paintings and longed to have a copy of them. I found them for her by fluke one day and she had them hanging in her diningroom for years. She died about 13 years ago and the pictures were supposed to come to me, but my dad couldn’t part with them until two years ago when he said I could take them home with me. They now hang side by side in my kitchen and they are truly an inspiration in and of themselves and a loving reminder of my mother. Thank you for sharing the history of them–now they mean even more!
Connie,
Thanks for sharing your story. Perhaps these are becoming meaningful family heirlooms that you can pass along as well someday!
Pastor Brett
We found a different one 1st that is would swear was the same guy reading a bible but i cant find it on here then next day came across “grace” in a thrift store. Any ideas on the other picture looks like the same guy with glasses on readying the bible
Sorry, Sadie, I don’t know. Perhaps someone else reading this will.
The book near the man is not the bible, but a dictionary. The actual book and photo release form is in a Museum in MN.
Interesting, Lina. Makes sense…looks more like a dictionary than a Bible! Thanks for the info.
are these two pictures copywrited? I wuld love to have copies made ont belgian linen canvas . Do I need permission? if so from whom?
Nicholas, I’m not sure about the copyright status of these pieces. I’m assuming they are in the public domain but not sure. I tried to go to the Contact info page on the family’s website but the url was not working. Perhaps you can try. Here’s the website: http://www.gracebyenstrom.com/
Sorry for the delay in answering your question!
Always thankful to know the story behind wonderful art. On Monday, I’m posting the picture on my blog with a link to your post. http://raiseyoureyes.dreamhosters.com/?p=640
In answer to Sadies question above, the other print is “Grace” by Michael San Fratello. I am thankful in that I have all three…