Arnold Friberg

Arnold Friberg is an American artist who is best known for his religious and patriotic works. Some of his most notable pieces include paintings of scenes from the Book of Mormon, as well as a depiction of President George Washington called “The Prayer at Valley Forge.” Friberg was also commissioned to do a series of works depicting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and he worked as the chief concept artist on Cecil DeMille’s movie The Ten Commandments. His works are frequently characterized by the dense musculature of the people in them, something that Friberg often added because he was an admirer of the human form. Friberg’s vast array of subjects and extensive portfolio of pieces has ensured his legacy as one of America’s most talented and respected modern painters.

Arnold Friberg was born on December 21, 1913 in Winnetka Illinois. When he was three years old, his family moved to Arizona, where they joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Friberg enjoyed art from a young age and began a painting apprenticeship by age 13. After finishing high school, Friberg attended both the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and the Grand Central School of Art in New York City. While in New York, Friberg illustrated a few covers for issues of The Saturday Evening Post and worked for advertising agencies.

After completing his secondary education, Friberg was drafted into the military where he served as an infantryman in WWII. After returning from the war, Friberg began is professional career. He began by teaching commercial art at the University of Utah. It was here where he was discovered by Hollywood director Cecil DeMille and was asked to be the chief designer for The Ten Commandments. Friberg completed 15 paintings for the movie, which were then toured around the world to help promote the film. Next, Friberg was commissioned by General Motors to do a series of paintings of the most famous games in college football. These works were also put on tour – being shown in various universities around the country. Friberg also painted pieces for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the British royal family. Friberg has said that he knew that he wanted art to be a part of his life from a young age, and he certainly satisfied that wish. Arnold Friberg continued to paint and enjoy art until his death in 2010.