Study for Ammon Defends the Flocks of King Lamoni
Arnold Friberg (American, 1913–2010)
Pencil and white on paper
Sight: 22.5 x 18.5 in. | Frame: 39 x 33 in.
This powerful figure study by Arnold Friberg captures the early vision for one of his most iconic religious paintings: Ammon Defends the Flocks of King Lamoni. With meticulous anatomical detail and expressive linework, Friberg explores the heroic stance of Ammon, a missionary-warrior from the Book of Mormon. The tension in the muscles and dynamic posture reflect both physical readiness and divine purpose.
As a preparatory sketch, this drawing served as a foundational step in Friberg’s process, allowing him to refine the emotion and energy that would define the final composition. By isolating the figure of Ammon, Friberg was able to focus on gesture, weight, and motion—essential elements in his visual storytelling. This work offers a rare window into the artist’s creative method and the deeply spiritual narrative that inspired it.
