depiction of Jesus
Jade Small
Jade Small
March 25, 2024 ·  4 min read

Artistic Prodigy Creates a Masterful Painting of Jesus at Just 8 Years Old

Among all the millions of depictions of Jesus Christ, not one can attest to being the true likeness of the Christian Messiah. All of them have been portrayals of what they believe he looks like. Seeing as all we have are descriptions in the bible, it is up to the artist’s imagination to think up what he looked like. However, a young artist named Akiane Kramarik has claimed she saw Jesus’s true face in her dreams. As a means to show this to the world, she painted it. Now, her remarkable painting has gone viral. Many people are in awe of her work. Now, many years later she is praised as an accomplished artist.

Akiane Kramarik Painted “Prince of Peace,” at eight-Years-Old

A young girl from Idaho grew up in a non-religious family. Reportedly, her parents had not brought up the concept of God, or Jesus Christ, much. So, her parents were surprised when she painted a painting of a man she claimed was none other than Jesus. However, she was adamant that she had recurring visions in her dreams, during which she heard God’s voice. “For many years a blurry image of the Prince of Peace appeared to me in my dreams and visions,” said Akiane. “Only after a mysterious carpenter came knocking on our door one afternoon that I knew it was the right time to paint the story of hope.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Akiane Kramarik (@akianeart)

Oprah Winfrey had the young artist, Arkiane, on her show, during which her mother confirmed that they did not raise her religiously. She said that they had home-schooled their daughter, and she had minimal influence from the outside world. “We were with the kids all the time, and so these words from Akiane about God didn’t come from the outside–we knew that,” said Akiane’s mother. “But there suddenly were intense conversations about God’s love, His place [in our lives], and she would describe everything in detail.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Akiane Kramarik (@akianeart)

Akiane Kramarik Searched For the Right Model

At first, she attempted to write about Jesus’s appearance. But, this proved too complex. She knew that she would have to resort to painting him. But, she would need a model to use as a reference. So one day, she asked them to pray all day for a look-alike worthy of her work. Regardless of her parents’ non-religious background. “I always think about Jesus and talk about Him,” said Akiane. “I was looking for a [Jesus] model for a long, long time, and when I couldn’t find anyone, one day I suggested to my family to pray all day for this model so God would send the right one.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Akiane Kramarik (@akianeart)

Then as miracles would have it, a carpenter rocked up at their door. Akiane was mesmerized at how similar he looked to the man she saw in her dreams and knew she had found her model. “I told my mother that that was him,” she reflected. “I want him to be my model.

Many people who saw her painting were appalled. They thought her determined attitude that her painting was the true likeness of Jesus Christ was blasphemous. Some even suggested burning the work of art.

Read: At Only 13, She’s Already Been Accepted Into Med School

Mistaken and Deceived

Her parents wished for their talented young daughter’s work to be praised internationally. So, they sent it off to an art exhibition, and it was stolen in the process. After a struggle, they managed to get the painting back. But, as it was returned, the shipment process caused serious damage to Akiane Kramarik’s “Prince of Peace.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Akiane Kramarik (@akianeart)

This was not the end of their battle. Her parents were still determined for th w rold to appreciate Akiane Kramarik’s painting of the “Prince of Peace.” They attempted to put it up for another exhibition. But, some form of a clerical error saw that it ended up being sold. They ended up in yet another legal pursuit to reclaim the painting. All the while, it was stored in a dark stairwell. Akiane never gave up hope that she would see her painting again one day.

Prince of Peace” Finally Returned

Meanwhile, she has been painting other works of art and she traveled to 30 different countries to preach about peace. Moreover, she taught some art classes. Every one of them gained international accreditation. She even managed to save her family from poverty. Luckily, she managed to make some prints of her original “Prince of Peace.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Akiane Kramarik (@akianeart)

After nearly two decades of her beloved painting being kept away from her, it was finally returned. Her family reportedly sold it to a rather prestigious family who saw themselves as the guardians of the work of art. They allegedly paid $850,000 for it. “It was amazing to me. To be able to see this into the light again, after so many years,” said Akiane.

Keep Reading: Scientists Find That “Class Clowns” Are Actually the Smartest People in Class

Sources

  1. Masterful Painting Of Jesus By 8-Year-Old—Says She Saw The True Face Of Jesus.” Daily Positive Info.
  2. Masterful painting of Jesus by 8-year-old rescued from the shadows.Newsner. Himani Ediwiweera. May 25, 2023.