Having been stolen, illicitly traded, and shrouded in obscurity for nearly two decades, Akiane Kramarik’s divine artwork titled “Prince of Peace,” a celestial portrayal of Jesus that she painted when she was just 8, has now resurfaced as a true masterpiece.
Now at the age of 28, Akiane is a best-selling author and at the same time she’s an enterprising entrepreneur and philanthropist. According to Akiane, an incessant wellspring of “visionary inspiration” impelled her to create her magnum opus, “Prince of Peace,” which embodies a profoundly inspiring archetype for humanity.
The inspired visage of Jesus, meticulously brought to life through her deliberate brushstrokes, was one of the remarkable pieces exhibited by Akiane on the Oprah Show at her age of 9.
Curiously, Akiane grew up in a quiet Idaho town, within a family that didn’t embrace a belief in God and rarely broached the subject.
“It wasn’t confined to artistic expression alone. Parallel to her art was a spiritual awakening,” revealed Akiane’s mother, Forelli Kramarik, who hailed from an atheistic background in Lithuania. “It all commenced with her sharing dreams and visions. Even though my husband, previously a Catholic, did not share our family’s beliefs, there was suddenly this discourse on God’s love, His role in our lives, all described in vivid detail.”
Akiane, who was homeschooled and shielded from external influences such as television, couldn’t have absorbed these notions from the outside world, her mother affirmed. “We were always with our children, so these words about God from Akiane didn’t originate externally—we were certain of that. But suddenly, profound conversations about God’s presence and His love started happening, described in remarkable detail.”
Akiane shared that her painting sprang from a dream she had during her childhood.
Initially considering employing poetry and literature to articulate her visions, she ultimately realized that words couldn’t encompass the complexity, leading her to paint instead.
“I perpetually contemplate and speak about Jesus. I searched extensively for a model, and when I couldn’t find one, I suggested to my family that we pray incessantly for the right model to be sent by God,” she recalled.
To reply their prayers, a tall carpenter resembling Jesus appeared at their doorstep, seeking employment. At first sight, Akiane was overcome, feeling as though she might faint. “I told my mother he was the one,” she recalled. “I wanted him to be my model.”
Thus, “Prince of Peace” was born, a treasured masterpiece that traversed the globe. The painting embarked on an exhibition journey but was stolen en route. Its vibrant, meticulous technique was unparalleled for an artist of her age.
Some years later, the painting found its way back to Akiane, albeit covered in sawdust from the shipping process, which she painstakingly cleaned off.
Because of an administrative oversight, the family’s plan to showcase Akiane’s spiritually-infused portrait hit a roadblock, despite their fervent desire to share it with the world.
Eventually Akiane sold “Prince of Peace” to a private collector. After an arduous legal battle to regain the painting, which was stored in a dim stairwell, she shifted her focus to creating other artworks that garnered widespread acclaim.
With her talents, Akiane lifted her family out of poverty and held onto the hope of reuniting with her cherished masterpiece one day.
In the interim, she traveled extensively, imparting art lessons to locals and advocating peace and spirituality within diverse communities. She sold countless prints to keep the essence of “Prince of Peace” alive in people’s hearts.
In 2019, a miraculous turn of events transpired.
As per reports, the undisclosed family who purchased “Prince of Peace” for $850,000 is among the world’s most esteemed and distinguished.
The new custodians consider themselves stewards of the original painting, driven by a mission to preserve this masterpiece for posterity, ensuring its narrative touches countless lives.
Over a decade and a half later, Akiane unveiled her beloved “Prince of Peace” with trembling hands, tears in her eyes, and a heart humbled by the moment. In a recent CBS interview, she expressed, “To witness its reemergence into the light after all these years is truly astonishing to me.”
She continued, “The surreal feeling lingers. I won’t deny it… Love possesses incredible power. It unfailingly appears right on time for those who need it most.”
“Akiane: The Early Years,” an exhibition featuring the world-renowned painting “Prince of Peace,” is currently showcased at the Belóved Gallery in Marble Falls, TX.
