Photographer's Masterpiece Becomes Minnesota's Official State Photograph

In 2025, the iconic "Grace" photograph continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Minnesotans. The image, captured by Swedish immigrant photographer Eric Enstrom in 1918, depicts a man bowing his head in prayer with food and a Bible in front of him.

Enstrom took 10 photographs of his subject, Charles Wilden, and meticulously edited the final image, using a fine metal tool to scratch out the window and adding dyes to alter Wilden's appearance. The powerful photograph quickly gained national recognition, becoming a symbol of prayer and hope during the tumultuous World War I era.

Years later, in 2000, Minnesota lawmakers unanimously voted to make "Grace" the state's official photograph, the only state in the U.S. to do so. Today, the image can be found throughout the small town of Bovey, where Enstrom's old studio is memorialized with a mural. The town's residents and visitors alike continue to be captivated by the timeless, emotional story behind this iconic photograph.