About the Artist
James Jensen's extraordinary talent in the pastel medium has been recognized by fellow artists and art lovers alike. His works embody a rich, archival quality which sets him apart as one of the most distinguished artists of our time, as well as the recipient of the top awards in his field. Trained in Boulder, Colorado, New York City, and Milan, his work is a fusion of modern perspective and old world technique that results in breathtaking still lifes and architectural renderings.
About the Piece
This breathtaking work by James Jensen, inspired
by Doctrine and Covenants section four verse four, “For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul,” portrays the rich pioneer heritage and intrinsic beauty of the Manti Temple. It is demonstrated
in a style reminiscent of the French Realist painter Léon Augustin L’hermitte (1844-1925) who was renowned for his images of men and women reaping the bounty of the land. Replete with eternal symbols of the gospel of Jesus Christ, an early pioneer is shown thrusting his sickle into the stalks of ripe wheat as his wife gathers the harvest that will feed their family. Behind them, the Manti Temple stands as a reminder of faith and the perseverance of the Lord’s people, while sheep
representing the twelve tribes of Israel gather to the temple and graze safely in its shelter.
