Triumphant Return, Christ's Entry into Jerusalem - Minerva Teichert

Triumphant Return, Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem by Minerva Teichert (c. 1916)

This is a touching painting of Christ's entry into Jerusalem, as told in Matthew 21:12. Arriving on a donkey was traditionally a sign of peace. As Jesus arrived to celebrate the Passover, He was greeted by crowds waving palm branches and laying cloaks on the ground before Him. Minerva’s colors and warm tones make this a beautiful depiction of this scriptural event.

History of Triumphant Return

When Minerva Teichert painted “Triumphant Return - Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem” it was her second version of the same subject. She first painted this theme in 1916 at the request of her mother. The first version included details that are lesss seen in Latter-day Saint depictions of Christ - for example Christ had a halo over his head. Minerva gave the piece to her mother who eventually donated it to the American Falls, Idaho Methodist Epsicipol Church upon the dedication of their new church building. The original painting was done before Minerva had gone back east to go to art school.

Years later, Minerva painted Triumphant Return - Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem. She was pleased with the piece and stated that she was glad to paint it again with her improved skills. The newer painting has been used in many Church manuals and magazines.

More About Minerva Teichert

Minerva Teichert was an artist whose works ranged from western American subjects to many religious paintings primarily depicting the history of the Latter-day Saint movement. This includes Minerva’s several works requested by the Church that were used to illustrate the stories using Book of Mormon art. She is also well known for the many murals she painted in public and private buildings scattered throughout Wyoming, Idaho and Utah. She was born Minerva Kohlhepp in 1888 in North Ogden, Utah. Minerva was the second of ten children and spent most of the first half of her life doing just as much farm work as she did painting. She studied under famous artists like Robert Henri at the Art Institute of Chicago and Art Students League of New York. When she was 29 years old, Minerva Kohlhepp married Herman Teichert on September 15, 1917. However, only one year after their wedding, World War One broke out and Herman left for battle. Although Minerva traveled with Herman throughout his boot camp training and transfers, she was eventually forced to bid farewell and stayed at home with their newborn baby son. During the early years of their marriage, everything was in short supply because of the war, so Minerva Teichert would paint on scraps of wood and paper because there simply wasn’t enough money to buy art supplies. Fortunately, Herman returned home after the war and the couple went on to have four more children. Minerva and Herman spent most of their lives on a ranch in Cokeville, Wyoming. Much of Minerva Teichert art can also be found by searching for LDS art, LDS church pictures, and Mormon art; even though these are not official names of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.