John August Swanson is a world-renowned contemporary artist whose works include many colorful depictions of stories from the Bible and other religious themes. Born in 1938, he has lived and worked most of his life in Los Angeles, CA.
Many of Swanson's beautiful works are on display in churches, universities, and museums around the world, including three museums of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, the Art Institute of Chicago, Harvard University’s Fogg Museum, the Tate Gallery in London, the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, the Vatican Museum of Modern Religious Art, and many other institutions. Some major collections and exhibitions include:
Some of Swanson's art works are still available for collectors as limited-edition serigraphs, and others are available for purchase as posters or cards.
Dozens of his works are also featured in published books and on book covers, especially from Paulist Press and The Liturgical Press.
This webpage features only a few of Swanson's many inspiring works of art, sorted in biblical order. Enjoy!
Artwork related to the Old Testament:
Adam & Eve (Genesis 2) [Giclee Print] |
Noah Triptych 1: Building the Ark (Genesis 6) [Poster] |
Noah Triptych 2: The Flood (Genesis 7—8) [Poster] |
Noah Triptych 3: The Rainbow (Genesis 9) [Poster] |
Abraham & Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14) [Poster & Card] |
Dream of Jacob (Genesis 28:10-22) [Card only] |
Story of Joseph (Genesis 37—50) [Serigraph & Card] |
Story of Ruth (Ruth 1—4) [Serigraph & Card] |
David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-51) [Serigraph & Card] |
Ecclesiastes (Eccl 3:1-8) [Poster & Card & Book] |
Psalm 23 [Serigraph] |
Psalm 85 [Serigraph & Poster & Card] |
Peaceable Kingdom (Isaiah 11) [Poster & Card] |
Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3) [Poster only] |
Daniel (Daniel 6) [Serigraph & Card] |
Jonah (Jonah 1—4) [Poster & Card] |
Artwork related to the New Testament:
The Annunciation (Luke 1:39-56) [Serigraph & Card] |
Nativity |
Shepherds |
Presentation
|
Epiphany |
Flight into Egypt |
The River |
Christmas Triptych
(Left: Epiphany, Center: Nativity, Right: Shepherds)
(Matt 2:1-12; Luke 2:1-7; Luke 2:8-20)
[Poster & Card]
The GIFT Triptych: Three Stories from the Gospel of John
A series of three Giclee Prints, from 2017
Gift of Water John 4 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well [Giclee Print] |
Gift of Sight John 9 - Jesus and the Man Born Blind [Giclee Print] |
Gift of Life John 11 - Jesus raises Lazarus back to life [Giclee Print] |
The Storm (2020) (Mark 4:35-41) [Giclee Print] |
||
Wedding Feast |
Fishermen - Let Down Your Nets |
Loaves and Fishes |
Good Samaritan |
Prodigal Son |
Story of the Prodigal Son |
Take Away the Stone (John 11:38-45) [Serigraph & Card] |
Entry into the City |
The Last Supper |
..... | ||
Washing of the Feet |
Agony in the Garden & Kiss of Judas (Mark 14; Matt 26; Luke 22) [Giclee Agony & Giclee Kiss] |
Crucifixion (Mark 15; Matt 27; Luke 23) [Giclee Print] |
..... | ||
Deposition & Burial (Mark 15; Matt 27; Luke 23) [Giclee Deposition & Giclee Burial] |
Celebration |
St. Michael & the Archangels |
Mosaics Created from Swanson's Paintings:
The River (Mark 1:9-11) installed at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Glendale, CA |
The Great Catch (Luke 5:1-11) installed at Concordia University, Irvine, CA |
Artwork related to Religious Themes:
Encuentro (1990) Poster & Card |
Francis and the Wolf (1985) Serigraph & Card |
Francis of Assisi (1999) |
|
Festival of Lights (1991) Serigraph & Poster & Card |
Madonna of the Harvest (2010) Serigraph |
Prayer [e.e.cummings] (1994) Poster & Card |
The Procession (1982) Serigraph & Poster & Card |
Canticle of the Sun (by St. Francis of Assisi) [Series of 8 Giclee Prints] |
Artwork related to Other Themes:
Books by John August Swanson and/or Featuring His Artworks:
Related Webpages:
All Artworks: Copyright John August Swanson
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This page was last updated by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D. on
February 5, 2024