Head of Christ Art Distributed to U.S. Service Men During WW II

New Web site features art of Warner Sallman

Anderson University and Warner Press have launched a new Web site, www.warnersallman.org, featuring the Warner Sallman Collection, a set of original artwork by Warner Sallman, who created some of the most widely recognized and cherished images of Christ produced in the 20th century, including Head of Christ, which was widely distributed to U.S. service men and women during World War II.

The collection, housed at Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana, contains about 200 works by Sallman, including Head of Christ and several other well-known paintings by the artist: Christ in Gethsemane, Christ at Heart’s Door, and Christ our Pilot. The collection also includes pastels, watercolors, pen and ink drawings, and typography produced by Sallman.

The new Web site features information about the artist and some of his most widely recognized paintings; links to news articles, movies, and books about Sallman’s work; personal stories by those who have been inspired by Sallman’s art, and an opportunity for visitors to the site to share their own stories as well.
 
"The inspired works of Warner Sallman have brought a sense of wonder and hope to countless millions of people throughout the world," said Tom Bruce, executive director of university relations. "His translation of the image of Christ provided millions of service personnel during World War II with a visual suggestion of Christ as a personal friend. Anderson University is pleased to serve as the custodian of these important works of art. We hope that through this special Web site, viewers will learn more about the artist and find inspiration and renewed faith."

While the university maintains the physical collection, Warner Press retains ownership of the image copyrights and is the exclusive distributor of the images worldwide.

"Over the years, Warner Press has produced or provided licensing rights for Sallman’s images to appear in a variety of products and publications, including custom artwork, postage stamps, inspirational Web sites, magazines, mugs, clocks, education and religion books, and outreach pieces to soldiers," said Regina Jackson, vice president for product marketing at Warner Press. "Hundreds of thousands of prints have been produced, and the artwork has been featured on the national news and even has been licensed to appear in feature films. Warner Press considers it an honor and a great responsibility to maintain the copyright of these beloved images. We work to protect the authenticity of Sallman’s vision and to maintain the highest standards of quality in the uses of his work."

— Randy Dillinger serves as Web Content Editor and SEO Manager in the office of University Communications at Anderson University.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology. For more information, visit www.anderson.edu.

For more than 125 years, Warner Press has been serving the Christian industry. Warner Press produces church resources, children’s products, and boxed-card assortments. Warner Press is committed to excellence in developing and marketing products and services based on scriptural truths, to evangelize, educate, nurture, inspire and unite the whole people of God. Headquartered in Anderson, Indiana, Warner Press is a not-for-profit organization. For more information, visit www.warnerpress.org.