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Artist
Yousuf Karsh, 23 Dec 1908 - 13 Jul 2002
Sitter
William Franklin Graham Jr., 7 Nov 1918 - 21 Feb 2018
Date
1972
Type
Photograph
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
Image: 33 x 26.2 cm (13 x 10 5/16")
Sheet: 42.7 x 35.4 cm (16 13/16 x 13 15/16")
Mount: 48.3 x 40.6 cm (19 x 16")
Topic
Costume\Dress Accessory\Eyeglasses
Printed Material\Book\Bible
Costume\Jewelry\Cufflinks
Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Necktie
William Franklin Graham Jr.: Male
William Franklin Graham Jr.: Religion and Spirituality\Preacher\Evangelist
William Franklin Graham Jr.: Presidential Medal of Freedom
William Franklin Graham Jr.: Congressional Gold Medal
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Estrellita Karsh in memory of Yousuf Karsh
Evangelical Protestantism has been a major social and cultural, as well as religious, force in America, from the eighteenth century’s Great Awakening to the present. In the modern era, Billy Graham was one of the movement’s most recognized leaders. He underwent his own conversion at sixteen and subsequently became a traveling evangelist. During his worldwide “crusades,” Graham preached to huge crowds, but his focus always centered on individual salvation. “My one purpose in life,” he observed, “is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ.” His ministry was not devoid of controversy, however. After making provocative comments on several “hot-button issues,” Graham expressed regret and distanced himself from politics. His widespread appeal was rooted in his charismatic stage presence and his espousal of an “enlightened fundamentalism,” one that retained the evangelical’s passion without overpowering the message with emotion.
Nacido en Charlotte, Carolina del Norte
El protestantismo evangélico ha sido una gran fuerza social, cultural y religiosa en Estados Unidos desde el “Great Awakening” (gran despertar) del siglo dieciocho hasta el presente. En la era moderna, Billy Graham, fue uno de los líderes más reconocidos del movimiento. Se convirtió a los dieciséis años y luego se hizo evangelista itinerante. Durante sus “cruzadas” mundiales, Graham predicó ante multitudes, pero su enfoque siempre fue la salvación individual. “Mi único propósito en la vida”, indicó Graham, “es ayudar a la gente a que encuentren una relación personal con Dios, la cual, creo, proviene de conocer a Cristo”. Sin embargo su ministerio no estuvo libre de controversias. Después de hacer comentarios provocadores sobre varios “temas candentes”, Graham se arrepintió y se distanció de la política. Su atractivo estaba basado en su fascinante presencia escénica y su adhesión a un “fundamentalismo ilustrado”, que conservaba la pasión evangélica sin dominar el mensaje con emoción.