Who is Annie Vallotton?

Annie at work

She is the Swiss artist who first illustrated the New Testament copies of the 1966 'Good News for Modern Man' new testament.  She went on to provide many illustrations for the whole bible when it was launched in 1979.  In 1992 it was relaunched using 'inclusive language'. 

Annie Vallotton was born in 1915 in Lausanne.  Her father's cousin was a famous painter and print maker called Felix Vollotton.  Her grandfather was a Lutheran Priest.  

Annie illustrated the new translation by Eugiene Nida, The aim of the new translation was to create the balance between authenticity (ie not a paraphrase bible) and intelligibility.  It was originally designed to be read by people for whom English was not their first language.  Its success came when it was realised that many English speaking people saw the King James Bible as written in a language they couldn't understand.  The Bible Society went on to produce 225 million copies, each with a collection of Annie's work, though it is said that some of the illustrations are not hers.  

Annie has also made a stain glass window for her brother's church in Saint Die Des Vosges, Lorraine, France in the Reformed Church.  

Window from Saint Die Des Vosges, Protestant Church

Annie famously took part in Billy Graham's mission to Europe called Eurofest75 where she 'drew bible stories on an overhead projector in an innovative style.