Realist painter, and Mormon Religious Artist, Arnold Friberg dead at 96

THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Douglas Martin

UTAH -- Arnold Friberg, a widely popular artist of historical and religious scenes whose painstaking quest for stunning realism led him to Valley Forge, Pa., on a winter’s day to paint what became a famous portrait of George Washington praying in the snow, died Thursday in Salt Lake City. He was 96. His series of paintings of events in the Book of Mormon, the sacred text of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been reproduced millions of times. A high point for Mr. Friberg was his being selected by the legendary director Cecil B. DeMille to create 15 historical paintings to serve as models for scenes, props and costumes for the movie spectacle “The Ten Commandments.”  [link]

OTHER NEWS REPORTS:

• SALT LAKE TRIBUNE (2006) 92-year-old Arnold Friberg is also known for his quibbles with LDS leaders over how to depict Book of Mormon prophets.(Originally published April 1, 2006)