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:

• Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA: on permanent display throughout the building
• St. John of God Retirement and Care Center, Los Angeles, CA: in the hallway outside their main chapel
• Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis, MN; they also had a large special exhibition, April 14 - June 17, 2012
• Boston University School of Theology; had an exhibit of Swanson's posters in Fall 2015
• Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, CA (webpages from these exhibits are no longer online)
  had special exhibitions on June 3 to Sept. 30, 2012, and May 10 to October 31, 2019.

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.

• Serigraphs, Giclee prints, and other works are available through the artist's own website: https://JohnAugustSwanson.com
• Various prints, posters, books, CDs and other works can be purchase through the Eyekons Gallery
• Posters and cards are available through the National Association of Hispanic Elderly: http://www.anppm.org/NonProfitStore/
  Note: The ANPPM website has been offline for most of 2021; but posters and cards can be purchased by calling their office: (626) 564-1988
  

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 (Luke 2:1-7) [Card]	Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20) [Card]	Presentation (Luke 2:22-38) [Serigraph & Card]	Epiphany (Matthew 2:1-12) [Serigraph & Card]	Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15) [Serigraph & Card]	The River (Mk 1:9-11; Mt 3:13-17) [Card]

Christmas Triptych
(Left: Epiphany, Center: Nativity, Right: Shepherds)
(Matt 2:1-12; Luke 2:1-7; Luke 2:8-20)
[Poster & Card]
 

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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 (John 2:1-11) [Serigraph & Card]	Fishermen - Let Down Your Nets (Luke 5:1-11) [Giclee & Poster]	Loaves and Fishes (Mark 6:35-44; Matt 14:15-21; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:1-15) [Serigraph & Card]
Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) [Serigraph & Card]	Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) [Card]	Story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) [Serigraph & Card]
Take Away the Stone (John 11:38-45) [Serigraph & Card]	Entry into the City (Mark 11:7-10; Matt 21:6-11; Luke 19:35-40; John 12:12-16) [Giclee]	The Last Supper (Mark 14:17-25; Matt 26:20-29; Luke 22:14-23) [Serigraph & Card]
	.....
Washing of the Feet (John 13:1-17) [Serigraph & Card]	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 (cf. Acts 2:1-4) [Card]	St. Michael & the Archangels (Revelation 12:7-9) [Serigraph]

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) Poster & Card & new Giclee Print (2019)
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]

• More Works with Religious Themes:
  • Journey through the Wilderness (1988) – Day Book
  • River Journey (1989) – Day Book
  • Star Mountain (1981) – Day Book

Artwork related to Other Themes:

• CIRCUS LIFE:
  • Acrobats (1986) – Etching
  • Amazing Dog Trio (2015) – Giclee Print
  • Balancing Act (1995) – Serigraph & Card
  • Boy Joins the Circus (1992) – Day Book
  • Carousel (1975) – Poster
  • Chorus of Horses (1986) – Day Book
  • Circus Gallop (1986) – Etching
  • Circus Horses (1982) – Lithograph
  • Circus Parade (2008) – Giclee Print
  • Crimson Clown (2008) – Giclee Print
  • Flying Trapeze (1986) – Etching
  • Goose with the Golden Egg (1987) – Day Book
  • Goose with the Golden Egg (2009) – Serigraph
  • Great Circus (1986) – Poster & Card
  • Jester (1989) – Day Book
  • Jester (2001) – Serigraph & Card
  • Lion Tamer (1986) – Etching
  • Magic Rabbits (1986) – Day Book
  • Star Clown (1986) – Day Book
  • Star Clown (2008) – Serigraph
  • Tumblers (1986) – Etching
  • Waltz of the Clowns (1988) – Poster & Card
• MUSIC & OPERA:
  • Bach Cantata (2014) – Giclee Print
  • Brahms Piano Quintet (2012) – Giclee Print
  • Concert (1977) – Day Book
  • Conductor (1987) – Serigraph & Card
  • Don Giovanni (1987) – Day Book
  • Don Giovanni (2013) – Giclee Print
  • Magic Flute, The (2012) – Giclee Print
  • Opera (1991) – Day Book
  • Orchestra (1979) – Serigraph & Card
  • Pagliacci (1987) – Day Book
  • Pagliacci (2016) – Giclee Print
  • Papageno (2008) – Serigraph
  • Piano Duet (2013) – Giclee Print
  • Street Singer (1998) – Poster & Card
  • Tales of Hoffmann, Act II (1989) – Serigraph & Card
• DAILY LIFE & WORK:
  • Building the City (1973) – Day Book
  • Bridge, The (2008) – Giclee Print
  • City Park View (2013) – Giclee Print
  • Family Picnic (2014) – Giclee Print
  • House Painter (1975) – Day Book
  • Inventor (1975) – Serigraph
  • Morning in the City (2012) – Giclee Print
  • Morning Suite (1979) – Ten Works
  • Newsstand (2008) – Giclee Print
  • Power to the People (2006) – Poster
  • Power to the People (2008) – Giclee Print
  • Rainbow City (1997) – Serigraph
  • Restaurant (1974) – Day Book
  • School Room (1987) – Poster
  • Time to Heal (1989) – Card only
  • Time to Heal (2016) – Giclee Print
  • Train Station (1975) – Day Book
  • Tree Planting (1982) – Poster & Postcard

Books by John August Swanson and/or Featuring His Artworks:

• The Millennium Day Book - contains 55 full-color pages featuring works by Swanson, along with pages for recording appointments or making diary notes; the book is not tied to any specific year; ANPPM (1999)
• Saint Francis - reflections by Marie Dennis; illustrations from J.A.Swanson's painting "Saint Francis"; Orbis Books, 2002.
• The Story of Ruth: Twelve Moments in Every Woman's Life - text by Joan D. Chittister; artwork by J.A.Swanson; Eerdmans Publ., 2000.
• There Is A Season - based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; text by Joan D. Chittister; artwork by J.A.Swanson; Orbis Books, 1995.
• A Thrill of Hope: The Christmas Story in Word and Art - DVD and Discussion Guide; Morehouse Publishing, 2011.
• What Wondrous Love: Holy Week in Word and Art - DVD and Discussion Guide; Morehouse Publishing, 2012.
• The Art of John August Swanson - Candler School of Theology, Emory University, 2008.

Related Webpages:

• John August Swanson - brief article on Wikipedia
• "Swanson Art at Candler" - the Candler School of Theology at Emory University (Altlanta, GA) holds the world's largest collection of Swanson's works
• "John Swanson at Candler School of Theology" - a 2-minute introductory video from Emory University, uploaded to YouTube on March 23, 2009
• "Hues of Joy, with John Swanson" - a 28-minute video, from Wordnet Productions, by Fr. Michael Manning, SVD; uploaded to YouTube on Sept. 26, 2011
• "Artist John August Swanson and His Images of Francis of Assisi" - a cover article by Jack Wintz, O.F.M.; published October 2002 in St. Anthony Messenger (no longer online)
• "Art changed this artist and encouraged him to share his gifts" - an article by Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic (Archdiocese of Detroit), August 15, 2008 (no longer online)