This story began more than a hundred years ago in the small photography studio of Eric Enstrom in the tiny North-Western mining town of Bovey, MN. An elderly itinerant salesman named Charles Wilden passed through town selling boot-scrapers and stopped at the photography studio on the main street.
Photographer Eric Enstrom had a brilliant eye for photographic subject matter and quickly asked the stranger in town if he would sit for a photo. When Mr. Wilden agreed, he sat at a small table. He bowed his head in prayer as the photographer’s assistant arranged a few household items on the table, including a Bible, a loaf of bread, and a bowl of soup. The intention was to capture an image that would inspire thankfulness in people who had endured much during the first World War. By highlighting Wilden’s devout posture and humble surroundings, Enstrom aimed to evoke the spirit of religious faith, thankfulness, and humility he associated with many newly arrived European immigrants to Minnesota. He named the photograph “Grace.”
Throughout the early to mid-twentieth century, copies of the image found their way to the walls of churches, restaurants, and private homes around the country and then the world. Baby-Boomers everywhere either had a copy of this humble portrait hanging in their home or saw one at their neighbor’s house.
Today, more than a hundred years later, the creative eye of Steven A. Slevcove has captured a new image for the twenty-first century. The humble pose of the thankful and gracious older man reignites the same feelings in the viewer as the original photograph did more than a century before.
The various elements in the scene signify the following: 1) The Word of God (Bible) – Which illuminates the all-encompassing attributes of God the Father, Jesus – God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, and the power of God’s love to redeem and transform all who are drawn to Him by the Spirit and accept Him as Lord and Savior. 2) Prayer – To the only sovereign, providential God who has the power to answer our requests – for ourselves, our loved ones, and to draw others to Him. 3) Communion (Bread & Cup) – To remember the cost of our redemption and salvation. 4) Salt – Our speech as a gracious blessing and purifying influence. 5) Light (Candle) – Christ’s glory shining through our lives so others will be drawn to our Savior.
“Grace II” is available to own as a beautiful portrait to display as a reminder to all to be thankful for all that God has provided. “Grace II” is available as a framable portrait on its own or displayed with one of several prayers to complete the masterpiece.
See all of the available prints for the GRACE II Portrait.
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