SAGA OF THE SANPITCH ~ VOL. 30
He was mostly known as CCA, in his adult life, was a master story-teller through art. His portrayal of Latter-day Saint history preserved the events for future generations. CCA was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, 28 November 1831, to Mads and Dorthea Christensen. His father was an unsuccessful businessman, and as the family sank into poverty, the mother took in washings and ironing.
CCA cared for his siblings, three younger brothers. His mother had received no formal education, but had an artistic talent and an optimistic spirit. She taught her children to cut designs and toys from paper, to help them become more creative. At age eleven, CCA's mother placed him in a government sponsored orphanage, to ensure that he would be warm and receive proper food. While he lived there, he was simply designated as #59. He was taught toy-making and other skills, and proved to be an excellent student. When Christmas season approached, CCA cut out intricate, artistic paper decorations that he placed on the orphanage tree.
A visitor, wealthy Widow Ane Sophie Bruun, admired the artwork and had the boy duplicate the designs, to prove he was the artist. Widow Bruun realized CCA's potential and had him released from the orphanage to be apprenticed to a carpenter. She also paid to have him attend evening art classes at the Royal Academy of Art for two years.
He was later apprenticed to Carl Rosen, a master painter, who gave him lessons in easel, house, and decorative painting. These skills would prove invaluable later, in rural Utah.
CCA's Mother, who had been an active Baptist, was among the first of the Latter-day Saint converts. Her pleas for her son to follow suit, went unheeded until Missionary George P. Dykes patiently taught him the gospel principles. He was baptized on 26 September 1850, and recorded, "I felt I was born again" and immediately became a zealous Missionary. 55 He continued his art classes, and his teacher counseled him to create national art that would exemplify the traditions and cultural history of his nation. This is exemplified in his art. CCA graduated as a journeyman artist in 1853. He was called to serve a mission and was ordained a priest in 1853. This was an enjoyable experience and he was successful, despite hostility threats. CCA revised the Scandinavian hymn book. He developed the gift of poetry, then composed words and music for additional songs.
He had a delightful sense of humor that was conveyed in his poetry. He was ordained an elder and planned to immigrate to "Zion." These plans were halted when he was called to serve a mission in Norway in November 1853.
No protection was afforded the missionaries, and he and his companions spent some time in jail. While imprisoned, CCA studied gospel principles and composed poetry that he wrote on the prison walls. The young missionaries won the admiration of the jailors and were treated with respect. A district magistrate was converted and loaned money to CCA to leave for America. CCA fell in love with Norway, and with one of its fair daughters, Elise Rosalie Haarbye. He had baptized Elise and her mother. Elise's stepfather refused to allow the couple to marry, if it meant Elise would emigrate to America. This mission extended to several years, a portion of which time he served as Mission President. He organized the first branch in Christiana and felt inspired in his assignments. He received instructions in English and, in turn, taught the language to the members. The congregation was so poor, they could not support the missionaries.
To provide for himself, CCA painted houses, a baby carriage, a sign and a marbleized fireplace. Elise's stepfather finally gave consent for her to emigrate with CCA and a Scandinavian Company. They traveled by steamer to Liverpool, where they and four other couples were married by a Mormon elder, 20 April 1857, in the harbor aboard the sailing vessel, Westmoreland. The ship's captain hosted a party to celebrate the occasion. CCA served as the ships' steward and composed a jolly handcart song in anticipation of their future mode of travel. The sea voyage lasted eight weeks; several births and deaths were recorded. Upon their arrival in the United States, the company went by rail to Philadelphia.
There was much sickness on the crowded train, and three children and one man died. In Iowa City they were greeted and given instruction by a church leader. They were housed in several large round tents, then were given three days for preparation to begin their journey. Many of their precious belongings were discarded to conform to the fifteen pounds allowed on the handcarts. Nevertheless, the group left in good spirits, singing, dancing and always supportive of their revered leader, Christian Christensen. While crossing the plains, they were often hungry and thirsty.
Johnston's U.S. Army traveled on the opposite side of the river and, realizing their need, gave them an ox that had an injured foot. This was gratefully received and fed the company for many days. En route they were preserved from a prairie fire and a collapsing sand bank. Indians were hired to assist the women and children crossing the river. One birth occurred, after which the mother was allowed to ride for one day. Humorous events lifted their spirits and CCA recorded several in his journal. The entire journey captured his imagination. A group of saints from the valley met the weary, half-starved travelers about one-hundred miles from their goal. They brought baked goods and fruit, a welcome gift.
The Christian Christensen Handcart Company arrived in Salt Lake 13 September 1857, with CCA's Danish flag waving jauntily from his handcart. This company was not greeted by the usual band and cheering crowds. The newspaper scarcely made mention of the event. The United States troops were stationed nearby, and the Saints were awaiting some action. The economy was at a standstill. Earning a living through painting was not an option.
CCA worked at various jobs and was paid with produce and adobe bricks to build a house. He and Elise moved to Cedar Valley where his brother, Frederick, lived, who, with their Mother, had emigrated earlier. The mother died before CCA's arrival. When accord was reached with the army, CCA was able to be paid in cash for his paintings, but the worldly influence of the army disgusted him.
In the spring of 1859, CCA purchased a team of oxen and an old wagon and moved to Sanpete Valley. He helped build a stone fort in Mt. Pleasant and spent some time in North Bend (Fairview). He painted scenery in Mt. Pleasant and Fairview theaters and in the newly constructed Salt Lake Theater. He earned four dollars an hour for his artwork in that important building. He began a life pattern that would continue into the future. Planting in the spring, harvesting in the fall, then traveling during the intervals, painting houses and signs. He continually used his literary skills in writing essays and poetry. In 1865, a call came for CCA to again serve a mission in Norway. He accepted, even though he had three children under six years of age. He gave each family member a blessing before departing.
Once again he served as Mission President and taught members the English language. He received permission to renew his painting skills by painting portraits, and was pleased with the results. He attended an art school under a talented instructor, Philip Barlog. This experience had a pivotal influence on his future.
During this period he developed a confidence that he could go beyond house and decorative painting. Elise managed the home and farm and survived the Black Hawk War while he was away. When he returned, he brought Elise’s mother and stepfather to live near them.
Eleven years following CCA's marriage to Elise, he married Maren Peterson in polygamy. She was a twenty-three year old Norwegian convert who had come in the Christian Christensen Handcart Company. She was living in poor circumstances in Ephraim. When Elise saw the conditions, she invited her to live with them. The marriage was performed in the Endowment House, 30 November 1868. He and Maren had five children. CCA worked in various places to support his family. He joined the laborers preparing for the Transcontinental Pacific Railroad in Echo Canyon. He painted banners for the Deseret Sunday School and Relief Society which were used in parades or on other occasions. He added to his repertoire the painting of coffins, head boards, flour boxes, blinds and the usual houses. Payment was frequently in produce. The Christensen’s moved to Ephraim in 1870 and immediately put their roots down deep. He purchased about fifteen acres of property and, when land opened for homesteading, in 1875 he filed on 160 acres in Manasseh, west of Ephraim. He built a substantial cabin of sawed logs, a granary and corrals for cattle. (The cabin, which is still in good condition, will be moved to the Historic Square in Ephraim during 57 1998.)
He dug ditches, cleaned and plowed his land, then planted about one hundred acres in wheat, oats, potatoes and alfalfa. The crops were good, except for drought and grasshoppers. CCA began painting on canvas, and usually did this in the attic of his home or in the granary. The income derived was meager, so he returned to "grubbing sagebrush, digging ditches and the like". With Dan Weggeland, an artist friend from Norway, he recreated incidents from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. These culminated in a scene of Joseph Smith receiving the gold plates. The paintings were on canvas pieces that were sewn together, then placed on poles that were attached to rollers. They moved vertically, to show one scene at a time.
CCA delighted in giving lectures to explain each scene. In the mid-seventies, CCA began a series of paintings depicting the early history of the Latter-day Saints. This was an ambitious undertaking, as each painting was six and one-half by ten feet. These were sewn onto a backing to be exhibited as a scroll on rollers. He created twenty-three scenes. All but one of these have been preserved and are known as the "Mormon Panorama."
Events from Church history had been shown in paintings from 1845, but CCA's panorama was the first to depict Joseph Smith's vision of the Father and the Son. George Manwaring, a young piano and organ salesman, saw the painting at CCA's home in 1878. Under the impact of this scene, Manwaring penned "Joseph Smiths' First Prayer, a loved Latter-day Saint hymn. CCA and his brother Frederick, who had given him financial assistance, displayed the panorama in Utah and Idaho. These efforts were successful and CCA realized their financial potential. He found he could take his art with its good gospel message to the public as a moderately priced entertainment.
During their presentations, CCA found the older people could add much to his knowledge of early church history, through their testimonies and comments. He would revise his paintings, to have them be in accord with these first-hand experiences. He regretted that he had not begun this pictorial record twenty years earlier, when he could have interviewed many more pioneers who were involved in these events. CCA's brother and sons assisted in exhibiting the panorama in Utah, Idaho, Arizona and Wyoming.
Curtains were always hung on each side of the scroll to enhance the dramatic context of the presentation. The eldest son, Charles John, eventually purchased it and continued showing until motion pictures arrived. CCA and Dan Weggeland collaborated on other paintings and panoramas, but few have survived. Sanpete's dry climate and the relative's safe storage preserved the "Mormon Panorama." The highlight of CCA's painting career was working with his artist friend, as they painted murals in the St. George and Manti Temples. Murals were painted on the walls of two of the rooms in the Manti Temple. The Creation Room had been cleaned and received minor repair, but remains as it was painted. The Manti Temple Garden Room was completely repainted by Robert Shepherd in 1945. CCA's art was only one of his contributions to his Ephraim community. He served on the city council and pressed for improvement on city beautification, as well as purchase of land for a cemetery to replace the old pioneer site.
He was a prolific writer, and frequently chided neglect and short-sightedness, but infused humor so the reader could not take offense. He encouraged the development of schools and parks, as well as local industries. A concern he expressed was that too much was devoted to shallow entertainment.
Charles John, the eldest son, served a mission in Norway. When he returned home, CCA fulfilled another mission from 1887-1889. While there he wrote numerous essays on theology and doctrine. He translated scriptures and wrote for the mission publication.
Troublesome news arrived from home. His son, Niels Erastus, was killed in a saw-mill accident, and difficulties had arisen in obtaining title to some of his Manasseh farmland. Titled: Wheat Harvest in Ephraim and Harvest in Ephraim.
Copies by Larry Nielson from CCA Christensen 1831-1912 Mormon Immigrant Artist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, p 47-used by permission. When he returned home, he made visual aids for the Deseret Sunday School to use in church-wide publications, with the Book of Mormon as the text. Art had seemed somewhat irrelevant, as CCA zealously fulfilled his missions. Now, he realized its potential as a religious, as well as a financial source. Two of CCA's major paintings are in the Manti Temple. One depicts the Temple hill with an Indian encampment in the foreground. The other features the Manti Temple with newly landscaped grounds and elaborate terraces. The latter painting was commissioned by the Sanpete Stake Relief Society. Farming frequently took precedence over painting, as one of his writings bemoans: "One will most often find the Utah artist in overalls, with a broad brimmed straw hat, in a field, armed with a pitchfork, or other fanning implement in practical work, in order to fill the bellies of himself and his families, instead of following the bidding of Apollo."
With the consent of President Wilford Woodruff, CCA painted a remarkable mural on the interior west wall of the old Ephraim Tabernacle. This portrayed the Angel Moroni delivering the gold plates to Joseph Smith. Painted curtains framed the scene, to enhance the drama. The plaster on the wall deteriorated. Eventually, the mural was removed and the wall was re-plastered. His literary efforts during the final two decades of his life consisted of a variety of subjects. He compiled theological essays and articles on religious subjects, translated sermons of church leaders, and wrote poetry and a travel guide for Utah. CCA taught a class in drawing, and gave instruction in the Danish language at Sanpete Stake Academy in 1893-1894. He received no pay. He maintained a lively interest in politics, and stumped the area for the Republican party in 1894-1895 in support of women's suffrage and ratification of Utah as a state.
In 1896-1897 he traveled in Utah with the panorama, lecturing as a missionary during each presentation. He taught the Danish language again at the renamed Snow Academy in 1899, and encouraged children of immigrants to become fluent in their mother tongue. Following his recovery from a serious illness in 1900, he experienced a richer fulfillment of his hopes for meaningful service. He was ordained a Patriarch and, during the following years, gave more than one hundred blessings, twenty-one of them recorded in Danish. He assisted with a revision of the Danish Doctrine and Covenants, and was a frequent contributor to the Danish paper, Bikuben. He retained a close relationship with his fellow immigrants. CCA exhibited a painting at the Utah State Fair in 1900 that has probably become his most popular work, "The Handcart Company." He had experienced this event and included the numerous details that he recalled. In 1901, he was assigned to assist Church Historian Andrew Jensen prepare a history of the Scandinavian Mission. This was the highlight of his literary career.
Despite the fact that Andrew Jensen served a mission during this period, CCA continued the record. He received no credit when the book was printed. CCA was quite nearsighted and in later years was plagued by a hearing loss and a kidney disorder. Yet his mind was as clear as ever, and his literary productivity continued. He was traveling and preaching at the onset of an illness that claimed his life, 3 July 1912, at the age of 81. Elise had preceded him in death in 1910. They were the parents of six children. Maren died in 1915. They are buried in the Ephraim Park Cemetery. He was a valiant giant in the gospel cause.
Documentation and Addendum 1. Reprinted from CCA Christensen 1831-1912, Mormon Immigrant Artist, 1984, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Courtesy, Museum of Church History and Arts. Used by permission. 2. Inez C. TrythalTs' family history of crossing the ocean on the sailing vessel Westmoreland, and traveling in Christian Christensens Handcart Company in 1857, with CCA Christensen and his wife, Elise. 3. Manasseh consists of several hundred acres west of Ephraim, originally homesteaded by pioneer farmers. Richard Christensen, a CCA descendent, presently owns CCA's property. This includes the cabin, erected in the early 1870's. It has been used as a granary and was donated to Ephraim City, through the efforts of Fort Ephraim Daughters of Utah Pioneers,. Snow College Building Institute will move the historical cabin onto a historical site in Ephraim. It will then be restored with matching wood taken from a building of similar vintage on the Christensen farm. Dennis Smith, Utah artist a writer, made us aware of the cabin, in his Deseret News Column, in 1995. 4. The Manti Temple Garden Room was repainted by Robert Shepherd in 1945. Each wall was basically painted blue, with lighter shades near the ceiling. The paint completely covered CC A's murals in mat room. 5. During the time CCA was painting murals in the Creation Room, a young woman, Thea Lund, who was assisting in the kitchen, carefully nourished a pink geranium that was placed in a window. CCA noticed how she cherished the plant and incorporated a picture of it nestled among the shrubs and trees, on the right wall of the Creation Room. Thea Lund Henrie is Vonda H. Christensen's mother. 6. A1910 copy of the Danish hymn book, Zion Sange. is in my possession; it contains seventeen of CC A's hymns. These were widely used on two continents.
No comments:
Post a Comment