The youngest of Bill and Minerva Hickman’s children was Mary Ella Hickman. She eventually married Fredrick Kohlhepp in 1886. Mary and Fred had eight children. The first two, one of which was Minerva Teichert was born in their grandmother’s old adobe brick home. Minerva Kohlhepp was named after her grandmother.

The young Kohlhepp family moved to Idaho, but the hot windy summers proved too much for young Minerva’s eyes, and she soon developed cataracts. She was forced to leave her family in Idaho and move back to North Ogden to live with her grandmother. Minerva Teichert was given a set of watercolor paints at 4 years old and claimed her whole life that those watercolors were the beginning of her love of art. Minerva attended school at the yet famous Red Brick School in North Ogden where she graduated from the eighth grade. She made her way back to Idaho eventually to be reunited with her family. At age 14 she traveled to San Francisco as a nanny for an Idaho family. While there, she visited an art museum for the first time in her life. Feeling inspired, she decided to take art classes at the Mark Hopkins Art Institute. Art classes were held in his mansion on the top of Nob Hill. It eventually became the home of the School and the San Francisco Art Association. Two very early Minerva Teichert paintings still hang in this building. Upon her return to Idaho from San Francisco Minerva graduated from High School and Immediately began teaching school to raise money for more art classes.

Birthplace of Minerva Teichert - North Ogden, Utah

Minerva Teichert Biography

Minerva Teichert Pocatello, Idaho High school graduation photo - with her lifelong friend Eva Kasiska who is seated right in front of Minerva Teichert

Minerva Teichert’s grandparents Bill & Minerva Hickman. Teichert’s mother Mary Ella was not yet born when this photo was taken.

Minerva Teichert painted and studied art along side world famous Edward Hopper in NYC at the Art Students League. She was encouraged to paint the scenes of “Mormon art history” by fellow artists.

The wild Idaho landscape was the inspiration for many Minerva Teichert paintings. Her art ranged from western American life to themes of her deeply held religious convictions. Minerva often selected subjects that emphasized the role of strong women, and these women feature prominently in many of her paintings. She was an independent, confident woman and was an outspoken on political and social matters. As her grandniece observed, “Aunt Minerva was feisty, spunky, and was a hundred years before her time, especially about women’s liberation and the roles women saw themselves in and what women were capable of doing.” Her legacy of portraying women side-by-side with men in strong heroic Mormon pioneer scenes has helped in documenting the remarkable role many women played, not only in the early migrating days of the church, but in the settlement of the Western United States.

Minerva Teichert Art won first prize in the 1947 Utah Art Exposition.

With her dedication to the Mormon church, Teichart was commissioned multiple times for paintings of faith. In 1946 she was commissioned by the church to paint the “World Room” murals in the Manti, Utah Temple. She was the first woman ever asked to paint a mural for a Latter-day Saint temple. The painting was expected to take a year, but Teichart completed it in 23 days. This is even more impressive because at the time of this project, Teichert was a 59 year old grandmother. Near the completion of the mural, Teichart fell from the scaffolding and injured her arm. She left her work for a few hours and went to see a doctor. She returned and immediately started painting again, simply unwilling to stop.

Among Minerva Teichert’s most well known paintings is one titled Miracle of the Gulls. Miracle of the Gulls came about when Teichert’s neighbor confided in her that she was heartbroken, but could not afford to send her daughter to BYU. Techert was kind enough to paint Miracle of the Gulls and give the money she made from it to her neighbor’s young daughter for her college tuition. Later, when the girl got married, Techiert gave her another painting as a wedding gift. This painting, Queen Esther, ended up being one of Teichert’s most famous and beloved works. Teichert repainted Queen Ester with slight differences (such as three figures in the background as opposed to two in the original) and donated it to Brigham Young University, where it still resides to this day.

Queen Ester was also one of three paintings Teichart made in response to the Nazis in Germany. Her son served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Germany in 1938. With antisemitism at terrible levels in the years before World War II began, Teichart’s son wrote letters to his mother expressing his horror regarding the treatment of the Jewish people. Sympathetic to their plight, Teichart painted Queen Esther as a figure of courage and bravery that protected her Jewish people.

While a student at Art Student League of New York City, Minerva Teichert would visit the Metropolitan Museum Art in New York City as part of her education. This is her Copyist Ticket to the museum. A copyist is someone who practices art by mimicking or copying the styles of other artists. Minerva Teichert paintings.

Teichert’s striking paintings often reflect her Mormon upbringing and tell stories from her faith. She painted 42 wall-sized murals based on stories from the Book of Mormon. Her desire to paint dozens of scenes from the Mormon scriptures came as an extension of her feeling that she was being “called” to serve her people and her religion with her art.

A distinctive feature of Teichert’s style is her minimal use of detail. Teichert believed that a painting “should be rich in story and backed by a great faith,” often leaving the details of her paintings to the imagination of the beholder. Often, the background is suggested, rather than drawn. This contributes to the style we see in Teichart’s work, often with unfinished edges but wonderfully embellished with colors and patterns. She knew she was finished with a painting when the story had been presented in a way with which she was satisfied; she would say “I’m not going to do anything more with that. That tells the story.” For her, the attitude and position of the figures were far more important to the story than detail. Admirers of Teichert’s painting style say they are drawn to her striking use of color and highlighting. Essential to her narrative was color, which spelled out the story that she wanted to tell. She would say, “the values of color are the only thing that makes things go round, and unless you do that you haven’t accomplished anything.” Techart’s rich color work helps reflect the stories she tells in her art, with a particular focus on red for contrast.

Her husband, Herman, was always a great supporter of her career and her independence. He patiently waited five years to get married while Minerva finished art school. She told a friend, “Herman has always given me free rein to do what I please, so I try to please him, which I could not do if he tried to ‘manage’ me.” Herman was not a member of the church when the couple married, but converted and was baptized in 1933. The couple was sealed the following year in the Logan Utah Temple.

Minerva Teichert studying art at the Art Institute of Chicago for four years - starting in 1909

This lovely collage shows Minerva Teichert at three different stages of her remarkable life.

Minerva Teichert painted murals - dozens of murals throughout many rooms of the Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints. This beautiful mural is found in the Manti, Temple in Utah.

The earliest known photo of Minerva Teichert painting Rescue of the Lost Lamb in a Church setting - photo taken Circa 1944 Bonneville Stake Center . The Rescue of the Lost Lamb painting itself was first shown in a public forum when it was loaned to Z.C.M.I. (Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution) for several months and placed in the Tiffin Room in a small exhibit on February 28, 1939. Minerva’s daughter records this painting among other works that were on display there. The Tiffin room was a common place where Minerva Teichert would loan her art for various events & exhibits. The first publication of the art was in 1940 in “The Utah” magazine.

Minerva Teichert painting of the Beesley Band. This band played at many events and parades in the early days of Salt Lake City

The true power of Minerva’s strong faith is revealed in the creative conceptualization of more than forty scenes from the Book of Mormon. Her imaginative paintings offer a visual alternative to the more masculine imagery that has previously been used to show these narratives. She gave a unique and beautiful vision through Book of Mormon art. The scriptures were very important to Minerva. She studied them regularly and could quote them for almost any situation. Each of the Minerva Teichert paintings in the series was supported by scriptural references, which she was careful to list in her notes, together with a description of the sBook of Mormon scene in her own words.

As was very common, the base on Minerva’s canvases was made from a mix of lead paint and linseed oil, which, over time caused her to develop severe lead poisoning. In addition to nausea and abdominal pain she developed optic neuritis which led to a deterioration of her eyesight. She loved painting and continued despite the pain, but later in her life there was an ever-present issue whether her eyesight and health were up to the task. When asked, she simply told her friends and family, “Pray for me. I need it. I want health, eyesight, and inspiration.” Minerva painted into her 70’s when a hip fracture ended her amazing career.

Minerva Teichert in the far left speaking with a group of women in Pocatello, Idaho

Minerva Teichert with her husband and children

The original painting on canvas by Minerva Teichert Rescue of the Lost Lamb hangs in the Conference Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Salt Lake City, UT.

The Art and Legacy of Minerva Teichert: A Complete Guide to Her Known Paintings and Murals

Minerva Teichert (1888–1976) is one of the most influential American painters of the 20th century, known for her vivid depictions of pioneer life, religious stories, and Western themes. A devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), Teichert infused her art with spiritual conviction, historical narrative, and unique artistic expression. Her legacy includes hundreds of paintings, many of which are treasured by museums, religious institutions, and collectors today.

If you're looking for a comprehensive list of Minerva Teichert's paintings, murals, and major works, this guide explores the most well-known pieces attributed to her—including her renowned Book of Mormon murals, religious paintings, Western scenes, and temple works.

Book of Mormon Series: 42 Masterpiece Murals

Between 1949 and 1951, Minerva Teichert completed a monumental series of 42 Book of Mormon murals, now housed in the Brigham Young University Museum of Art (BYU MoA). These large-scale narrative pieces are among her most celebrated contributions to religious art.

Notable works in the Book of Mormon series include:

• Nephi Bound

• Nephi, the Builder, Forging Swords

• Nephi Leads His Followers into the Wilderness

• The Promised Land

• Record of the Jaredites

• The Sacrament

• Mosiah Interprets the Jaredite Stone

• Flight

• King Benjamin's Farewell

• Ammon Before King Limhi

These murals, painted on masonite, use vibrant color, symbolic gestures, and bold composition to bring scripture to life.

Latter-day Saint & Western Paintings: Signature Works

Minerva Teichert also created a vast collection of religious and pioneer-themed oil paintings that reflect her unique style and spiritual themes.

Prominent individual works include:

• Portrait of Sara Kohlhepp (1917)

• Miracle of the Gulls (1935)

• Joseph Receives the Plates (1947)

• Christ in a Red Robe

• Queen Esther (1939)

• Rescue of the Lost Lamb

• Christ with Mary and Martha

• Cokeville, Wyoming Ward Relief Society Quilters (1932)

• Brigham Young Offers Prayer Around the Campfire (1954)

• Dance Before the Departure of the Mormon Battalion

• Indian Study

• Night Raid

• Indian Night Captives

• Pioneer Wash Day

• Teichert Homestead, Snake River Bottoms

• Moving South (1949)

• Rug Merchants (1935)

These paintings are recognized for their emotional intensity, expressive brushwork, and historical importance. Many are housed in the BYU Museum of Art, the Church History Museum, and private collections.

Mural Works in Temples and Tabernacles

Minerva Teichert contributed her talents to sacred LDS spaces as well:

Manti Utah Temple (1947)

• Created murals for the World Room, depicting spiritual and historical themes.

• Collaborated with Frank Stevens on mural design and execution.

Montpelier, Idaho Tabernacle

• Painted murals representing scenes from pioneer and scriptural history.

These large-scale works have been carefully preserved and are considered some of her most spiritually significant contributions.

Where to View Minerva Teichert's Art

Many of Teichert's works are available to view or purchase as prints through various platforms:

• Minerva Teichert Gallery – Offers high-quality canvas reproductions of Minerva Teichert’s LDS art and pioneer art, including "Rescue of the Lost Lamb" and "Christ in a Red Robe."

  BYU Museum of Art – View the Book of Mormon murals and Western-themed works.

• Church History Museum – See the rotating exhibit "With This Covenant in My Heart."

Total Output and Artistic Legacy

Art historians estimate that Minerva Teichert completed over 300–400 paintings, including oils, murals, studies, and preparatory sketches. Her artwork continues to inspire scholars, members of the LDS faith, and lovers of Western and religious art.

Teichert’s work is characterized by:

• A deep spiritual message

• Symbolic gesture and expression

• Strong female figures

• Stylized and expressive composition

Her paintings are a powerful blend of pioneer strength and religious devotion, and they have become a central part of 20th-century Latter-day Saint visual culture.

Ways to look for & find more about Minerva Teichert Online:

• Minerva Teichert paintings

• Book of Mormon murals

• LDS religious artwork

• Minerva Teichert art prints

• Minerva Teichert biography

• Minerva Teichert canvas reproductions

• Buy Minerva Teichert prints

• BYU Museum of Art Teichert collection

• Pioneer art in Mormon history

• Religious murals in LDS temples

Minerva Teichert’s contributions to Latter-day Saint and Western American art remain unmatched in their scope, scale, and passion. Whether you're an art collector, historian, or admirer, her work continues to uplift and inspire across generations.

Minerva Teichert magnified her “life’s calling” into thousands of paintings and left us her personal interpretation of the western American life and personal dedication to the gospel she loved so intensely. She carried out this enormous task in addition to being a wife, mother a sister, a daughter and business manager of a large ranch.

Teichert was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, raised five children, and achieved a wonderfully successful painting career. She wanted her art to motivate the viewer to greater faith and a greater appreciation for pioneer heritage.