"Beholding Salvation," which is organized chronologically, begins with the Annunciation and ends with Christ's victory through the Resurrection.

Several steps into the exhibition, you will encounter the 84- by 204-inch painting "The Nativity," by Brian Kershisnik (b. 1962). This enormous canvas, teeming with 160 ogling angels, will undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about works in the show.

It is moments after the birth of Jesus, and he is feeding at the breast of a visibly exhausted Mary. Two midwives kneel nearby cleaning a bloodied cloth in a bucket of water; there is great joy in their faces. A wearied and worried Joseph kneels behind Mary on the other side of the makeshift bed's headboard. His hand reaches through a break in the wood and rests upon his young wife's shoulder, where a grateful Mary caresses it. All are oblivious to the horde of adoring angels overhead, all except for a mother dog with two pups; she stares directly at them.

Other outstanding works are "The Holy Family with Three Hares," a 1496 woodcut by Albrect Durer (1471-1528), an 1885 Russian icon, "Virgin of the Khazan," made of tempera and gold on panel.

There are several exquisite Minerva Teichert works (1888-1976) in the show, each a perfect example of her impeccable design and technique and her strong religious beliefs.

J.T. Harwood's (1860-1940) "Come Follow Me," 1922 oil, will be instantly recognized. The play of light on Christ and several Apostles in a boat still impress.

If there is one part of the exhibit that might not receive its due it is the small works on paper by the likes of Bloch, Durer and Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-69).

"Sometimes you really need a magnifying glass to look at the fine detail in them," Pheysey said. "They're so wonderful and full of symbolism. They're so engaging."

Perhaps the most significant and satisfying element of "Beholding Salvation" is that the exhibit is not diminished by the inclusion of some of today's less than adequately painted local art of Jesus.

While it is true that there are several local contemporary artists whose paintings are in the show, the artistic merit of these works is high, and each deserves to be part of an exhibit that truly makes you admire its message.

If you go

What: "Beholding Salvation: Images of Christ"

Where: Brigham Young University Museum of Art, 404 N. Campus Drive, BYU, Provo

When: Through June 16, 2007

Gallery hours: Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.;

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.;

Saturday, noon-5 p.m.;

Sunday, closed

How much: Free

Phone: 422-8251

Web: www.byu.edu/moa

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E-mail: gag@desnews.com