A Visual Testimony: Minerva Teichert at the BYU Museum of Art

Heroes and events come to life in the vivid color and signature brushwork of beloved artist Minerva Teichert in the newest exhibition at the Brigham Young University Museum of Art. A Visual Testimony: Minerva Teichert’s Book of Mormon Paintings can be seen in the Cannon Gallery of the BYU Museum of Art through April 29, 2017.
Minerva Teichert lived much of her life in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming and has become a beloved part of the culture of this area. Her Book of Mormon series is one of her most well known collections of work. Teichert painted this series of 42 paintings in the space of two years, 1949-1951, inspired to do so by the words of one of her teachers, renowned artist Robert Henri. As he taught Teichert, he was impressed with her talent and encouraged her to “paint the Mormon story.” Teichert painted dozens of artworks featuring the story of the Mormon pioneers’ western migration, but decided to paint a series based on her personal experiences in reading and pondering “The Book of Mormon.”
Museum educator Lynda Palma said, “Teichert had the fortitude and strength of character to venture alone across the country and pursue an education in a vocation unusual for women at that time. Returning home, her extraordinary artistic talent and the strength of her religious convictions motivated her to share the Mormon story in her distinctively moving style.”
Dr. Janalee Emmer, curator of the exhibition, noted, “This Book of Mormon mural series was not commissioned. It was a huge project to undertake without any interested patrons or clients, but it was project that personally compelled her. Teichert wanted it to be a powerful visual tool to convey the messages of The Book of Mormon and was committed to doing it even if she wasn’t sure where the series would ultimately end up.”
The exhibition features all 42 paintings of Teichert’s Book of Mormon series, as well as six other paintings and two sketches of Book of Mormon subjects that she painted separately from the original series. The exhibition will display the paintings in the chronologic order of the events in “The Book of Mormon.” Included in the exhibition are two pieces never before shown for public display: Lehi in the Desert and the sketch of The Seduction of Corianton. Ephemera such as photographs, books, and sketches are also included. Teichert’s Book of Mormon series was last shown at the BYU Museum of Art in 1998.
Emmer said, “Minerva Teichert’s Book of Mormon series provides us with a way to imagine scenes of the Book of Mormon and bring them to life in our minds. I am particularly struck by the way that she infuses emotion and drama into these well-known scenes- suddenly they become actual people who experienced happiness, discouragement, fear, sorrow, peace and many other emotions that are familiar to all of us. We are incredibly grateful that this series ended up here in the collection of the BYU Museum of Art and hope that many visitors will take advantage of this opportunity to see all of Teichert’s Book of Mormon paintings displayed together."
More information about A Visual Testimony: Minerva Teichert’s Book of Mormon Paintings and related programming can be found online at moa.byu.edu/project/minerva-teicherts-book-of-mormon-paintings/. The exhibition will be open September 16, 2016 - April 29, 2017.

[@seermormonart6649]

Beautiful collection of works

[@kccougar12]

Looks like a nice exhibit. I'd like to know who the narrator of this video is - she is stunning.

[@aloitalauA]

Unique

[@amaxamon]

Nice but I prefer Friberg and Capp.