Anthony's Fine Art & Antiques in Salt Lake has purchased a rare Mormon pioneer painting of Nauvoo by artist C.C.A. Christensen.

Carl Christian Anton Christensen (1831-1912) studied at the Royal Academy of Art in Copenhagen and, as one of the first generation of Latter-day Saint artists, produced the largest body of historical religious paintings in early Utah. Christensen is best known for his Mormon Panorama, a series of 23 large paintings that depict the history of the LDS Church.

A Danish-born convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he drew from his own pioneer experiences for his paintings' subjects, choosing to tell the stories of the early pioneers through his art.

Described as "the most significant first-generation genre painter of the Mormon people" by Richard G. Oman, curator of the LDS Church's Museum of Church History and Art, Christensen depicts in his painting the exodus from Nauvoo across the frozen Mississippi River in February 1846. The painting was included in the museum's 2002 exhibit "Early Images of Historic Nauvoo." Christensen also painted several of the murals in the Manti and St. George temples and produced paintings for the Manti Tabernacle.

The painting is on exhibit in Anthony's Fine Art's gallery, 401 E. 200 South, through today. The public is invited to view from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.