Warner Elias Sallman (April 30, 1892 – May 25, 1968) was an American painter from Chicago best known for his works of Christian religious imagery. He also worked in commercial advertising, as well as in freelance illustration.[1] He is most associated with his portrait of Jesus, Head of Christ, of which more than 500 million copies have been sold.[2][3] In 1994, The New York Times wrote that he was likely to be voted the "best-known artist of the century".[4]
^Have You Seen This Man?, Art, Newsweek, July 2/July 9, 2007, p. 68 (The brief column replied to the title-question by saying "Probably, and looking exactly like this. Warner Sallman's 1940 oil painting The Head of Christ is believed to be the most reproduced religious work of art. ]It's been copied a billion times, if you include lamps, clocks and calendars.")