Carl Bloch - BYU Museum of Art

A couple days ago, my mom called and said she and my dad were going to go down to the BYU Museum of Art to see the Carl Bloch art exhibit and wondered if I would like to go. I had about a hundred reasons why I shouldn't. I had mounds of laundry to fold, a PTA newsletter and yearbook to work on, and we were low on groceries.

But, something told me I needed to go.

It was amazing and inspiring.

Carl Bloch was a nineteenth century Danish artist that is recognized by many as the greatest artist ever to interpret the life and death of Christ. He considered his religious paintings to be the most significant accomplishments of his career. I learned that it was Bloch's tender and sensitive soul that enabled him to portray the life of the Savior so beautifully. The exhibit includes five altar paintings, 11 etchings and 21 other works from around Denmark and Sweden. You can find out more about the exhibit here: Also, I found this video very interesting. It is well worth watching.

I am not very knowledgable about artwork and painting like my mom, but, I could tell I was in the presence of masterpieces. Some of the artwork is very large, enabling you to really appreciate and feel the pieces. I was moved by every one. One of my favorites was this:

It is titled: The Daughter of Jarius. Here, the mother sits by her daughter's lifeless body, despairing - a tear running down her cheek. Christ has arrived at the doorway as the sun is rising behind him as a foreshadowing the miraculous miracle that is about to occur.

The Doubting Thomas.

Here, Bloch captures the moment after Thomas has touched the resurrected Christ and his overwhelming realization of who he really is.

Christ and the Young Child

I remember the beautiful eyes of the child and the Savior in this piece.

Christ The Consoler

This piece depicts how all may come unto Christ. Bloch used his own family in this painting.

Christ Healing the Sick at Bethesda

This painting is actually owned by the BYU Art Museum. It is considered their greatest piece. It is truly breathtaking. Here one feels drawn into the painting as the man in the red scarf makes eye contact with the observer. Also, I couldn't help but notice that so many in the picture are too busy to see the Savior. I am so grateful I took the time to see this beautiful and sacred exhibit. I plan on taking my family down to see it and anyone else who wants to go.

It is at BYU until May and then the art pieces find their way back home to churches all over Denmark and Sweden.

Winter Break = Good Times

Winter break is over, the kids are back in school, and the house is quiet. Today I'm taking down the Christmas decorations. Feels good. I'm taking a minute to post some pictures from the last couple weeks. What a good couple of weeks we had:

We enjoyed the lights at Temple Square.

The home teachers came and brought some Piroutte cookies and the kids immediately started smoking them like cigars. Nice. I'm pretty sure that's not what the home teachers intended.

We were able to attend a couple BYU basketball games. One at Weber State and one down in Provo. I can't believe it has been 16 years since I was a student at the Y. The ol' Marriott Center brought back so many memories. Pretty glad I'm not having to write papers and take exams, though.

Ben turned twelve on Christmas Eve. I love that boy. Such a good kid.

Ben informed me recently that he would love to try hockey. (Yeah, I'm sure we could fit that in between football, basketball, and baseball. Not.) So, he decided to go ice-skating on his birthday.

I think this is where he is thinking hockey is definitely out. In fact he told me that ice-skating was pretty much the dumbest thing he could've done on his birthday.

Here's Jordan, our "fourth" son hitting the deck. I'm glad he found it funny.

I'm happy to report everyone (including Ben) had a great time in the end after they caught the hang of it.

What a great Christmas we had. Here Erin was pretty happy to receive the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" Book set from Grandma Bailey.

Over the break, Ben and Alex worked on and completed their Carpentry Merit badge for Scouts at Grandpa Bailey's house.

Alex and his good friend Alex working on some masterpiece, I'm sure.

Erin serving a meal to her new pink Sock Monkey. I think she must be very hungry.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season. I was pretty lame and didn't send out any cards this year. I've never done that before. Everything just came at me too fast so I apologize if you were waiting in anticipation for our card. I also hope 2011 will bring much happiness to all my family and friends. I know it will for us.