RALEIGH, North Carolina/STUTTGART, Germany (ANS) — A new foundation has been launched with the aim to artfully engage people with the Holy Scriptures through artistic expressions.
The Wiedmann Bible Foundation wants everyone to experience it in new ways, transcending all languages. They do so through the only existing visual narrative that depicts the complete Old and New Testament. It is also the longest illustrated Bible in the world.
The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization will honor the artist’s legacy by publishing his masterpiece in all forms.
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Willy Wiedmann painted a Bible consisting of 3,333 illustrations, which has a total length of almost one mile (1,2 km). The Foundation consists of Martin Wiedmann (Founder and Chairman), who is also the son’s artist, Carolyn D. Rossinsky (Founder and President), Frank Wohlfahrt (Founder and Board Member), as well as Directors and Members of the Board Allen Quine and Dale Brantner (both formerly senior members of the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.).
After a successful US debut in 2018, the Wiedmann Bible exhibition became one of the most popular ones at the Museum of the Bible. The Foundation will have tours within the country, where people can gather and have the opportunity to experience the visual narrative of the Holy Scriptures as well as worship and enjoy God’s word in pictures. Future exhibitions are planned, i.e., in Museums, Town Halls, Stadiums, Concert Halls, and all venues that are helpful to fulfill its mission and its vision.
“It is our understanding that art provides a perfect tool to experience the Gospel because it shapes the imagination of faith communities and enables people to become engaged in the story of the Bible. The Art of the Wiedmann Bible is such a tool, especially for those who prefer visual learning or are afraid to read the Bible,” states Carolyn Rossinsky, the foundation’s president.
To raise funds for future projects, the non-profit organization has created a unique opportunity to adopt a picture from the Wiedmann Bible. The adoption donations range from as little as $20 to $10,000 and above. Adopters can either see their names alongside the illustration(s) or donate anonymously. They can also add a personal message if desired.
The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The artwork itself originated from Stuttgart, Germany. The artist’s son Martin found the Bible in his father’s attic together with an essay about his work.
“Once I realized the extent and significance of my father’s work and that he always wished for someone to publish it, I knew immediately, that I had to take on my his mission,” says Martin Wiedmann. “Within four years, the demand for this fantastic artwork has increased so drastically. Therefore, I am happy for the foundation’s support in raising awareness for this unique Bible.”
The Wiedmann Bible is available electronically in English, Spanish, and German as an app, interactive kiosk, and virtual reality. A limited print version only exists in German so far. The foundation plans on publishing copies in English next.
The Wiedmann Bible is the only visual narrative of the Bible depicting the complete Old and New Testament in 3,333 illustrations. After 16 years (1984–2000) of creative effort, and with the help of over 40 different Bible translations, German artist Willy Wiedmann completed his life’s work: 19 Leporello books (accordion-style books) containing 3,333 images with a total length of almost 1 mile.
Due to the lack of technology and monetary funds, Wiedmann was not able to publish his artwork. Because of this, he stored it in four aluminum boxes in his gallery’s attic in Stuttgart, Germany, where it fell into oblivion. After Wiedmann’s death in 2013, his son Martin found the Leporello books and decided to complete his father’s mission: to share the Bible with the world.
Today, it is known as the Wiedmann Bible, and it is the longest illustrated Bible ever created. You can discover the Wiedmann Bible through an interactive app and kiosk in English, German, and Spanish, as well as through a limited print edition.
In 2018, the Wiedmann Bible made its first visit to the US and was on display at Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, after two extensions, until September 2019.
Wilhelm Richard Heinrich “Willy” Wiedmann (* March 14, 1929, in Ettlingen, Germany † June 21, 2013, in Stuttgart, Germany) was a musician, composer, visual artist, church painter, gallery owner, curator, husband, and father.
Wiedmann created his own artistic style, which he called Polycon. It is made up of multiple panels comprised of geometric forms that overlap, intertwine, and complement each other. The different compositions create pictures within pictures, which can be perpetuated endlessly. His vision was to create a complete, illustrated Bible as a continuous visual narrative. He pored over the words of the Bible, using over 40 different translations to aid his understanding.
In 2002 the Willy Wiedmann was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his work in the service of art and culture.
You may contact The Wiedmann Bible Foundation for more information. Carolyn D. Rossinsky, Phone: +1 (786) 210-2637 Email: cr@wiedmannbible.org Founder and President Martin Wiedmann Phone: +41 794 00 97 74 Email: mw@wiedmannbible.org Founder and Chairman Diana Lammerts Phone: +1 (702) 601-6015 Email: dl@wiedmannbible.org
The author of this story, Michael Ireland, is a self-supported media missionary with ANS. Click here to support him as a missionary journalist.
