| Show CARL CHRISTIAN ANTON CHRISTENSEN Virginia Nielson Non Professional Third Place Biography Carl Christian Anton Christensen known as CCA in his adult life wasmaster story-teller through art His portrayal of Latter-day Saint history preserved the events for future generations CCA was born in Copenhagen Denmark 28 November 1831 to Mads and Dorthea Christensen His father was an unsuccessful businessman and as the family sank into poverty the mother took in washings and ironings CCA cared for his siblings three younger brothers His mother had received no formal education but had an artistic talent and an optimistic spirit She taught her children to cut designs and toys from paper to help them become more creative At age eleven CCAmother placed him ingovernment sponsored orphanage to ensure that he would be warm and receive proper food While he lived there he was simply designated as 59 He was taught toy-making and other skills and proved to be an excellent student When Christmas season approached CCA cut out intricate artistic paper decorations that he placed on the orphanage tree visitor wealthy Widow Ane Sophie Bruun admired the art work and had the boy duplicate the designs to prove he was the artist Widow Bruun realized CCApotential and had him released from the orphanage to be apprenticed tocarpenter She also paid to have him attend evening art classes at the Royal Academy of Art for two years He was later apprenticed to Carl Rosen master painter who gave him lessons in easel house and decorative painting These skills would prove invaluable later in rural Utah CCAMother who had been an active Baptist was among the first of the Latter-day Saint converts Her pleas for her son to 93 |
