NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio – Schoenbrunn Village will host a special traveling photographic exhibit, John Valentine Haidt: A Life of Christ, July 6-29 in their Visitor Center audio-visual room.
This exhibit was developed in honor of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Moravian artist John Valentine Haidt (1700-1780).
Organized by the Moravian Historical Society in Nazareth, Pa., the exhibit features 20 mounted photographs of Haidt’s works, which are among the earliest known religious art in colonial America.
Haidt began his painting career at the age of 45 in the Moravian community of Hermhaag, Germany. He came to America in 1754, and settled in Bethlehem, Pa.
Painting for God.
Haidt considered himself primarily a preacher, and looked on his painting as of secondary importance. Nevertheless, Haidt saw his art as a means of serving God.
He produced a considerable number of works from the time of his arrival in the American colonies until his health failed in 1774.
Haidt’s religious paintings were intended to be a teaching device not only for the Moravian churches, but also for the Moravian mission chapels among the Indian nations and other mission fields. His paintings were seen as literal interpretations of the Scriptures.
Admission and hours.
The exhibit is part of the regular admission to the Schoenbrunn site. Admission rates are $5 for adults and $1.25 for children 6-12. Children under 6 are admitted free.
Summer hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
For more information call 330-339-3636 or 800-752-2711.
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