by Arthur E. Holmberg III, March 24, 2010
After my father’s death in 1957, my grandparents were inspired by a painting they saw in a church where they had worshipped in Baltimore, Md. They approached Mr. Sallman and asked him to paint that same picture. As a well known artist, he could not nor would he paint a copy of someone else’s work. They agreed on a painting and he was commissioned to paint Christ ascending into heaven, hands outstretched overlooking the river Jordan. It was to be placed in the baptistry of then the Northside Christian Church in Chicago, Ill., as a memorial to my father. In April of 1960, when the painting was finished and ready for unveiling, I had the honor, as a 14-year-old, of presenting that painting to the congregation that Sunday morning. As I remember, the painting is approximately 6 feet wide by 8 feet long; it is really a mural. Mr. Sallman actually glued the painting to the wall of the baptistry rather than on a frame. My mother and I were overwhelmed when we saw this work of art. When my mother retired as the church organist, she was presented with a framed photo of the painting, and it hangs in my home today. Mr. Sallman also presented my mother a signed print of his most famous Head of Christ. That print is prominently hung in my home today. The sad part of this story is that painting is hung behind drapes that are only open for a few minutes on Sunday mornings. Just a few fortunate people can enjoy this work of art. It is my hope that some day it can be displayed in a museum or more public location for the world to view.