Two oil paintings, masterpieces on canvas by distinguished artist Minerva Teichert, have been procured by the Museum of Church History and Art, Glen M. Leonard, museum director announced recently.
The paintings, approximately 3 feet by 5 feet, are "Christ's Entry into Jerusalem," and "Esther Before the King." They were the first major religious paintings done by the artist."We acquired these distinctive artistic works on canvas from the American Falls/Aberdeen, Idaho, United Methodist Church, which in 1916 commissioned the artist to do the two paintings to decorate their church," Brother Leonard explained. "It is an honor for us to have these in our museum's oil painting collection."
"Esther Before the King" is unique in that the curators believe the artist painted herself as Queen Esther and her four sisters were the models for the queen's handmaidens in the background. As the Bible recorded, Queen Esther, dressed royally, appeared before the king, gained his favor, and thus paved the way to save her people.
The painting of Esther is on display at the museum. The other new acquisition will be shown in an Easter exhibit. The museum is on West Temple, across from Temple Square, and is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Admission is free.
