Culture

Cover image via LDS.org.

It’s been over sixty years now since the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints sought for and obtained permission from Denmark’s Frederiksborg Castle Museum officials to photograph and reproduce the beautiful and stirring paintings of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, by Danish painter Carl Heinrich Bloch.

For the last half-century, these paintings have graced the walls of our homes, Church chapels and learning facilities, Mission homes and holy Temples worldwide. They have also been published in Church books, magazines and manuals.

I’m sure we all agree that these paintings have contributed much to our thoughts and spiritual imaginings of Christ and His mortal ministry.

Carl H. Bloch was the son of a merchant. When he was just a young boy, his father arranged a placement for him to be trained as a midshipman. But by the time he reached his early teens he began to show extraordinary artistic talent. So it was that in 1849, at the age of fifteen, he began his studies at Copenhagen’s Academy of Art. By the time he was twenty he had received several prestigious invitations to exhibit his work, which further led to his receiving a travel grant to Rome.

It was in Rome that young Master Bloch flourished. He remained there for many years and was significantly influenced by all the great Italian artists. But as time passed he began to focus his efforts on painting Danish historical events and Biblical stories which brought him much notoriety in his homeland of Denmark.

But it was at the age of 31 while still in Rome, and three years before he would marry, he received a grand commission that would change his whole life. He was asked to paint twenty-three paintings on the life of Christ for Denmark’s beloved Frederiksborg Castle Church Oratory, which took him 14 years to complete.

Carl Bloch’s ability to capture and illuminate the life and mission of the Savior is so extraordinary, powerful and insightful that it has caused me to wonder if he received divine assistance. The subject matter, human emotions, his skill for painting light and the deep sacred symbolism incased in each painting is indeed stunning.

I will never forget the first time I saw these magnificent paintings. I was privileged to see them in the spectacular setting of the Frederiksborg Castle Church where they officially reside. There are no words to describe the affect they had on me.

Carl Bloch Paintings at Frederiksborg Castle – Panoramas.dk

Each magnificent! But there was one in particular––The Shepherds and the Angel–– that reached deep into my soul capturing my heart … and imagination.

While standing there pondering that sacred pastoral scene, my senses were suddenly heightened and I could see in my mind’s eye the glory of the Angel, the startled shepherds; hear the baaing of sheep, even smell the hay and the grass in the field!

And there was in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger (Luke 2: 8-12).

Through the amazing gift and talent of Carl Heinrich Bloch, I felt like I was there watching this sacred event unfold! That extraordinary experience will remain in my mind and heart forever.

As I have gotten older, more seasoned in the gospel and in my testimony of Christ, I have come to see and appreciate these paintings as much more than just great works of art. I have come to see them as Carl Heinrich Bloch’s testimony of our Lord and Savior.

I have come to realize that with each stroke of this great Master’s brush, he was expressing his love, faith, belief, gratitude and personal witness of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world.

Many years ago during a big family move, our treasured family Nativity got lost. Every year since––at the beginning of December–– I begin my search for the perfect crèche, but every year ends with the same result… no Nativity.

However, this year I decided to purchase a copy of Carl Bloch’s beautiful painting The Shepherds and the Angel, placing it right next to the Christmas tree where I use to display our Nativity. The beauty and spirit this painting brings to our home is a sweet reminder of the precious experience I had the first time I saw it.

Of all the titles and honors that attend the name of Carl Heinrich Bloch: beloved husband and father of eight, Master Painter, Head of the Royal Academy of Art; I believe the one he would want to be remembered by the most is Witness of Jesus Christ.

For it is in the stunning works of this amazing artist that we find encompassed the beautiful words of John the Beloved.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1-4).