Over at Apartment Therapy I just read that the Keep Calm and Carry On-poster could be the most common artwork in people’s homes right now. And that poster surely brings a great message! Though, there seems to be one other piece of artwork that – across ages, locations and eras – is even more common: “Grace” by Enstrom. This picture, showing the elderly peddler with head bowed in a mealtime prayer of thanksgiving, is known and loved throughout the world. Fact is, I hadn’t seen it before! Well I’m a Swede right, guess that explains it :p

It was back in the year of 1918, that a bearded, saintly, old man, with foot-scrapers to sell, called on Eric Enstrom at his photography studio in the tiny mining town of Bovey, Minnesota. From this chance encounter Enstrom’s world famous photographic study was created. There was something about the old gentleman’s face that immediately impressed Enstrom, he I saw a kind face, without any harsh lines in it. The picture seemed to say “This man doesn’t have much of earthly goods, but he has more than most people because he has a thankful heart”.  And so was Enstrom’s message – in scarce wartime, but as important and universal throughout time – that even though we have to do without many things we still have much to be thankful for. Grace is a reminder. And a keeper =)