Art and illustration

Joseph Smith, by Alvin Gittins

4 Comments

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This Millennial Star cover image of Joseph Smith was drawn by 21-year-old Alvin Gittins, who provided many illustrations and decorative touches for the Star in the wartime-era. He is much better known for this familiar portrait of Joseph Smith made after his emigration to Utah following the war:

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MLA: Parshall, Ardis E. "Joseph Smith, by Alvin Gittins." Keepapitchin.org, 10 May 2017, https://keepapitchinin.org/2017/05/10/joseph-smith-by-alvin-gittins/.

APA: Parshall, A. (2017, May 10). Joseph Smith, by Alvin Gittins. Keepapitchinin.org. https://keepapitchinin.org/2017/05/10/joseph-smith-by-alvin-gittins/

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4 thoughts on “Joseph Smith, by Alvin Gittins”

  1. I assume he is in uniform as the general of the Nauvoo Legion. How accurate is it?

  2. I think you’re right as to why he’s in uniform, and since this issue of the Star is the “Forces Number” (articles about church members in the armed forces), that seems appropriate. The uniform style may not be particular accurate — the Maudsley print of a uniformed Joseph from the Nauvoo Era, and the later John Hafen painting with Joseph raising his sword and addressing the Legion from a platform, both show Joseph with a single row of buttons down the front of his uniform, and heavy epaulettes. Beyond that, I don’t know how to judge the accuracy of the uniform.

    Just what Joseph himself looked like gets us into an ongoing debate.

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