Millions of people recognize the religious painting known as the Head of Christ, of which an estimated 500 million prints have been sold. Very few, however, know the artist, Warner E. Sallman. Sallman's lack of notoriety in professional art circles can be explained by the fact that he made little or no attempt to put himself forward as a Chicago or even a Swedish-American artist.

He had no exhibitions of his works, and his public life consisted largely of appearances before church and community groups to do chalk drawings. More important was his own attitude regarding personal fame. Master Painter is a story of a gifted man with humble beginnings who overcame disappointment, ill health, and personal limitations in order to live out a vision; that his art serve not only for the enjoyment of humankind, but the practical end of instructing persons in the ways of God.