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Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
There is a quiet, almost reverent stillness around the lone figure at the right edge — a moment of dawning gratitude held apart from the energetic cluster to his left. Christensen arranges nine ragged figures in a tumble of motion: tossed cloth, lifted arms, and braided tassels all suggest movement and celebration. Their textures — frayed wraps, layered fabrics and dangling ornaments — feel tactile and lively against the flat, neutral background. The tenth man, by contrast, stands vertical and calm; his hands are open and his face turned slightly upward, lit so that it becomes the visual and emotional center. The painting’s subtle left-to-right shift from busyness toward that quiet clarity encourages the same pause it depicts: an invitation to notice a single, intimate reaction of gratitude amid collective noise. It’s an elegiac small story rendered with warmth, detail and compassion.
The Artwork
About Ten Lepers
Thought provoking elegance, grace and beauty are the hallmarks of a James Christensen work of art, and Ten Lepers is a masterclass in story-telling design. James’ work often focused on taking a moment to pause and reflect on the myriad of miracles that occur around us on a daily basis. Here he happens to use one of Christ’s more recognized miracles to make the same point. Everything in the painting leads us to the single leper at the moment he truly grasps what has occurred. The background is not monochromatic but progresses from light to dark - left to right - in the same way we in the western world are taught to read, and therefore, observe. The clothing on the mass of nine lepers serves multiple purposes. Their tattered wrappings suggest what was, until this moment, their illness. Their euphoric chaos not only contradicts the serenity of the lone leper, but also contains numerous directionals driving your eye to the right. Then, James slams on the brakes. There is no movement in the tenth leper. He is lighter than the others against the darker background. His clothes hang vertical and static. This peace is easier on our eye than chaos. Our eye rests there. His hands and face are lightest of all. Tassels on his turban and the other lepers point to his hands. His fingers on his hands are spread wide in discovery, his eyes glance off the canvas towards the source of the miracle that has occurred. James’ message is clear - Take a moment from our fast-paced world to reflect and show gratitude for all you have to be thankful for. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, were not there ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. Luke 17:15-19 James Christensen's Ten Lepers is a thought-provoking masterpiece, narrating the gratitude of one healed leper amidst the chaos of nine others, symbolizing the importance of reflection and gratitude. Through elegant storytelling and meticulous design, Christensen invites viewers to pause and contemplate the miracles surrounding them, delivering a powerful message of faith and appreciation, as inspired by the biblical account in Luke 17:15-19
Collector Details
What to Know About This Piece
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About the Collection
James Christensen (1942–2017) was a visionary fantasy artist known for his whimsical paintings that blend mythological storytelling with magical realism. His work, inspired by Renaissance art and surrealism, features imaginative characters, intricate details, and symbolic elements such as floating fish, which represent wisdom and wonder. Christensen’s unique artistic voice brought to life fairy tales, fables, and medieval-inspired dreamscapes, making his fine art prints and collectible fantasy artwork highly sought after. His ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary continues to captivate art collectors and dreamers alike.
Image Rights
Image copyright © 2026 by James Christensen.
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Authenticity & Documentation
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Limited-edition artwork includes a Certificate of Authenticity when one is issued by the artist, publisher, studio, or authorized source. Open-edition pieces may not include a certificate; this does not affect their authenticity. The Collection Shop sources artwork through artists, publishers, authorized distributors, galleries, and other approved channels. Any additional documentation included with this specific piece will be noted above.
It is with deep regret and profound sadness that The Collection Shop announces the passing of artist James C. Christensen on Sunday, January 8, 2017.
Inspired by the world's myths, fables and tales of imagination, James C. Christensen wants his work to add up to more than a beautiful - if sometimes "curious" looking work of art. Having taught art professionally for over 20 years, he likes to think of the world as his classroom. His hope is that through whatever he creates-be it a porcelain, fine art print or book-he can convey a message, inspiration or a simple laugh. He believes that teaching people to use their imagination helps us find solutions to sooth the stresses of everyday life-or get a little lift to help us keep going. In short: all things are possible when you share Christensen's philosophy that "Believing is Seeing." Christensen was born in 1942 and raised in Culver City, California. He studied painting at Brigham Young University and, for a while, the University of California at Los Angeles before finishing his formal education at BYU. Since then, he has had one-man shows in the West and the Northeast and his work is prized in collections throughout the U.S. and Europe. Christensen has also won all the professional art honors the World Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention can bestow, as well as multiple Chesley Awards from the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists. Christensen has been designated as a "Utah Art Treasure," one of Utah s Top 100 Artists by the Springville Museum of Art and received the Governor s Award for Art awarded by the Utah Arts Council recognizing the significance of Christensen s artwork to Utah s cultural communities. He was inducted into the U.S. Art magazine s Hall of Fame and is an Honored Alumnus at Brigham Young University for his contributions to fine art and education. James and his wife Carole, co-chair the Mormon Arts Foundation. He is a frequent guest lecturer at Brigham Young University, and has also given workshops to large companies and organizations on the subject of creative thinking, including the California Art Educator s Association, Hallmark and Intermountain Health Care. In addition to his fine art limited editions on paper and canvas, Christensen s work can be found in five acclaimed books and a series of interactive journals and in three dimensions in porcelain and hand-crafted limited-edition bronze sculptures
Inspired by the world's myths, fables and tales of imagination, James C. Christensen wants his work to add up to more than a beautiful - if sometimes "curious" looking work of art. Having taught art professionally for over 20 years, he likes to think of the world as his classroom. His hope is that through whatever he creates-be it a porcelain, fine art print or book-he can convey a message, inspiration or a simple laugh. He believes that teaching people to use their imagination helps us find solutions to sooth the stresses of everyday life-or get a little lift to help us keep going. In short: all things are possible when you share Christensen's philosophy that "Believing is Seeing." Christensen was born in 1942 and raised in Culver City, California. He studied painting at Brigham Young University and, for a while, the University of California at Los Angeles before finishing his formal education at BYU. Since then, he has had one-man shows in the West and the Northeast and his work is prized in collections throughout the U.S. and Europe. Christensen has also won all the professional art honors the World Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention can bestow, as well as multiple Chesley Awards from the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists. Christensen has been designated as a "Utah Art Treasure," one of Utah s Top 100 Artists by the Springville Museum of Art and received the Governor s Award for Art awarded by the Utah Arts Council recognizing the significance of Christensen s artwork to Utah s cultural communities. He was inducted into the U.S. Art magazine s Hall of Fame and is an Honored Alumnus at Brigham Young University for his contributions to fine art and education. James and his wife Carole, co-chair the Mormon Arts Foundation. He is a frequent guest lecturer at Brigham Young University, and has also given workshops to large companies and organizations on the subject of creative thinking, including the California Art Educator s Association, Hallmark and Intermountain Health Care. In addition to his fine art limited editions on paper and canvas, Christensen s work can be found in five acclaimed books and a series of interactive journals and in three dimensions in porcelain and hand-crafted limited-edition bronze sculptures
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