Del Parson
Encyclopedia
Delwin Oliver "Del" Parson (born 1948) is an American
painter
who is well known for his Latter-day Saint (LDS) themed paintings. His painting of Jesus
, "Christ in Red Robe," is recognizable from its wide use by the LDS Church.
, Utah
and grew up in Rexburg, Idaho
, where his father was an art professor at Ricks College. He is one of nine children, three of whom became professional artists.
Parson attended Ricks College and later Brigham Young University
(BYU), where he received a B.A.
in Life Sciences in 1972 and a Master of Fine Arts
in drawing and painting in 1975. Parson was a gallery and portrait artist before becoming a professor of art at Dixie College in 1988. There he was awarded the Teaching Excellence Award from the Utah College Council in 1990.
After the death of his wife Joycel and youngest daughter in a 1978 car accident, Parson felt inspired to begin painting primarily religious subjects.
In 1983, he was commissioned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to paint "Christ in Red Robe," his first portrait of Jesus, which has since been used in many church materials. A popular urban legend claims Parson produced the work under the direction of church general authorities, who suggested how to make it more accurate, until it was deemed the closest resemblance of Jesus Christ. Parson denies this, stating the work's commission and revisions were according to the needs of the church curriculum department.
In April 2011 the biographical film "Del Parson: Portraits of Love" premiered on BYU-TV.
Parson lives in Cedar City, Utah
with his wife Lynette, and has six children.
Parson has received regional and national awards for his work. His work has been displayed at the Allied Artists of America, National Academy of Design
, Knickerbocker Artist, American Artists Professional League, the Amarillo Rotary Show, the Springville Museum of Art
, the Morrison-Knudsen corporate headquarters, the LDS Church Art Museum, and the National Center for Constitutional Studies
. His work has been the sole subject of exhibits at Dixie College, BYU, Ricks College, the Las Vegas Art Museum
, and the James M. Haney Art Gallery in Amarillo, Texas
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
who is well known for his Latter-day Saint (LDS) themed paintings. His painting of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, "Christ in Red Robe," is recognizable from its wide use by the LDS Church.
Biography
Parson was born in OgdenOgden
-Surname:* Aaron Ogden, governor of New Jersey* Bud Ogden, American professional basketball player* Carlos C. Ogden, American Medal of Honor recipient* Charles Ogden * Charles Kay Ogden, Cambridge University linguist, inventor of Basic English...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
and grew up in Rexburg, Idaho
Rexburg, Idaho
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 17,257 people, 4,274 households, and 2,393 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,534.4 people per square mile . There were 4,533 housing units at an average density of 928.4 per square mile...
, where his father was an art professor at Ricks College. He is one of nine children, three of whom became professional artists.
Parson attended Ricks College and later Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
(BYU), where he received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Life Sciences in 1972 and a Master of Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
in drawing and painting in 1975. Parson was a gallery and portrait artist before becoming a professor of art at Dixie College in 1988. There he was awarded the Teaching Excellence Award from the Utah College Council in 1990.
After the death of his wife Joycel and youngest daughter in a 1978 car accident, Parson felt inspired to begin painting primarily religious subjects.
In 1983, he was commissioned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to paint "Christ in Red Robe," his first portrait of Jesus, which has since been used in many church materials. A popular urban legend claims Parson produced the work under the direction of church general authorities, who suggested how to make it more accurate, until it was deemed the closest resemblance of Jesus Christ. Parson denies this, stating the work's commission and revisions were according to the needs of the church curriculum department.
In April 2011 the biographical film "Del Parson: Portraits of Love" premiered on BYU-TV.
Parson lives in Cedar City, Utah
Cedar City, Utah
As of the census of 2000, there were 20,527 people, 6,486 households, and 4,682 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,021.8 people per square mile . There were 7,109 housing units at an average density of 353.9 per square mile...
with his wife Lynette, and has six children.
Artistic work
Parson is a traditional realist artist and creates mostly LDS art, but also works on other themes, such as landscapes. The LDS Church has commissioned Parson to paint over 240 works, many of which are of Jesus Christ. One painting in particular, of the resurrected Christ exiting the tomb, is found in many LDS chapels and LDS homes.Parson has received regional and national awards for his work. His work has been displayed at the Allied Artists of America, National Academy of Design
National Academy of Design
The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, founded in New York City as the National Academy of Design – known simply as the "National Academy" – is an honorary association of American artists founded in 1825 by Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Martin E...
, Knickerbocker Artist, American Artists Professional League, the Amarillo Rotary Show, the Springville Museum of Art
Springville Museum of Art
The Springville Museum of Art in Springville, Utah is the oldest museum in Utah for the visual fine arts. Completed in 1937, this building was designed in the style of the Spanish Colonial Revival style by Claud S. Ashworth. It was dedicated by LDS Apostle David O...
, the Morrison-Knudsen corporate headquarters, the LDS Church Art Museum, and the National Center for Constitutional Studies
National Center for Constitutional Studies
The National Center for Constitutional Studies is an ultraconservative, religious-themed constitutionalist organization, founded by Mormon political writer Cleon Skousen. It was formerly known as The Freemen Institute....
. His work has been the sole subject of exhibits at Dixie College, BYU, Ricks College, the Las Vegas Art Museum
Las Vegas Art Museum
The Las Vegas Art Museum was a facility located Las Vegas, Nevada in a building shared with the Sahara West Library branch of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District....
, and the James M. Haney Art Gallery in Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo is the 14th-largest city, by population, in the state of Texas, the largest in the Texas Panhandle, and the seat of Potter County. A portion of the city extends into Randall County. The population was 190,695 at the 2010 census...
.