1963-1965
The Erwin M. Hearn, Jr. Collection is located at the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives. The collection consists primarily of prints of pencil sketches and paintings drawn by Hearne from 1963-1965. Color prints are from the painting series entitled, “Eight Great Moments in Baptist History.” Pencil drawings are related to Baptists and religious liberty in America and the formation of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1845. The “Eight Great Moments” series includes a paragraph description and artist commentary for each painting. A paragraph description is included for the “Baptists and Religious Liberty” series of sketches. The original “Eight Great Moments in Baptist History” paintings are on display at the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives.
A native of Dallas, Texas, commercial artist and Baptist layman Erwin M. Hearne, Jr. was born September 18, 1924. He graduated from North Dallas High School and Southern Methodist University. Hearne was an artist who worked in advertising for most of his career. In 1963, he was commissioned by the Sunday School Board and the Historical Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention to pain the “Eight Great Moments in Baptist History” series, which was intended to be used as permanent teaching aids for educating Southern Baptists about major moments in the Baptist historical narrative. The Historical Commission distributed prints of Hearne’s “Eight Great Moments” paintings and religious liberty drawings that appeared on the covers of numerous Sunday School Board periodicals in the mid-1960s. Hearne also painted a series (12 paintings) on “Texas Baptist History,” which are owned by Baylor University, and was known for his creative work in the film and television industries, working on “Benji” and other productions. He died in Dallas, Texas, on January 31, 2006.
Erwin M. Hearne, Jr. Oil Paintings – Eight Great Moments in Baptist History
Erwin M. Hearne, Jr. – Eight Great Moments Paintings Descriptions and Artist Commentary
- 01 – Roger Williams Leaves Salem
- 02 – Isaac Backus Before Continental Congress
- 03 – James Ireland Preaching Through Prison Bars
- 04 – James Madison Meets with John Leland
- 05 – Luther Rice Before Triennial Convention
- 06 – Luther Rice Arrives at the Bagby Home
- 07 – Gambrell and Frost Recommend Sunday School Board
- 08 – Truett Preaches on Capitol Steps
