In 1916, he married Ruth Anderson, whom he met while singing in his church choir. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, Sallman was diagnosed with tuberculosis and given only three months to live. Upon telling his wife, she said, "Let's pray about it and let the Lord have His way in the matter." They did pray, and through time Sallman was restored to health.
In 1924, Sallman was commissioned to design the cover page of a demoninational magazine. On the eve of his deadline, still unsatisfied with his work, a picture appeared vividly within his mind's eye, and Sallman created a charcoal drawing of the "Head Of Christ." Later in 1940, he reproduced that painting in oils, which has since sold millions. Over 500 million prints have been distributed over the world, including thousands to the men and women of our armed forces.
A demand grew for more pictures by Sallman showing Christ in various settings. Thus a new series of religious paintings began to come from the hand and heart of this devout Christian artist. The paintings shall ever live on, a glowing and irrefutable evidence of what God can do through one life wholly dedicated to Him.
