(RNS) Annie Vallotton died in December at age 98, and in some circles she’s known as the best-selling artist in history. Vallotton started her art career by painting frescos on the walls of refugee camps; in 1966, after a 10-minute interview during an airport layover in Germany, Bible translator Eugene Nida selected Vallotton as the illustrator for American Bible Society’s innovative New Testament translation, “Good News for Modern Man.”
The translation was the first to bring the Bible to the masses in straight-forward, everyday language. Vallotton’s simple line-drawing illustrations illuminated the Bible’s stories for readers. The success of “Good News for Modern Man” was followed by the complete Bible translation, “The Good News Bible,” which also included pen and ink illustrations by Vallotton. To date, The Good News Bible has sold more than 225 million copies—each with Vallotton’s illustrations.
Please click on any image below to view slideshow.
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- All people are equal in Christ. (Gal. 3:28) Illustration courtesy of Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
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- Be anxious for nothing but rather turn to God in prayer. (Phil. 4:6) Illustration courtesy of Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
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- Angels blow the seven trumpets in John’s vision in Revelation. Illustration courtesy of Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
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- Wisemen follow the star. Illustration courtesy of Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
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- Jesus carries the cross. Illustration courtesy of Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
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- Angels inform shepherds of the birth of the Christ. Illustration courtesy Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
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- Shepherds arrive at the manger to worship the newborn Christ. Illustration courtesy of Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
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- Crowds greet Jesus in Jerusalem with palms. Illustration courtesy of Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
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- Jesus blesses the children. Illustration courtesy of Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
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- Women look to the cross. Illustration courtesy of Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
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- Jesus’ baptism, illustration courtesy of Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
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- The parting of the Red Sea, illustration courtesy of Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
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- Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac. Illustration courtesy of Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
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- Peter denies Jesus – Cock crows. Illustration courtesy of Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
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- Illustration of Jesus on the cross. Illustration courtesy of Annie Vallotton, The Good News Bible
