Gift of John August Swanson. Accession numbers: 2017.17; 2018.3; 2018.4; 2018.38; 2019.9; 2019.14; 2019.29; 2022.10; 2022.38;
2022.46.
Collection is open to research under the terms of use of the Department of Archives and Special Collections, William H. Hannon
Library, Loyola Marymount University.
Materials in the Department of Archives and Special Collections may be subject to copyright. Unless explicitly stated otherwise,
Loyola Marymount University does not claim ownership of the copyright of any materials in its collections. The user or publisher
must secure permission to publish from the copyright owner. Loyola Marymount University does not assume any responsibility
for infringement of copyright or of publication rights held by the original author or artists or his/her heirs, assigns, or
executors.
[Identification of item], Series number, Box and Folder number, John August Swanson Collection, AR011, Department of Archives
and Special Collections, William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University.
John August Swanson was born in 1938 in Los Angeles, California. He paints in oil, watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media, and
is an independent printmaker of limited edition serigraphs, lithographs, etchings, and other prints.
Since 1969, his art has reflected his heritage of storytelling, inherited from his Mexican mother and Swedish father. He addresses
human values, cultural roots, and the quest for self-discovery through visual images. These images include Bible stories and
social celebrations, such as attending circuses, concerts, and operas.
John Swanson studied lettering and printmaking with Corita Kent at Immaculate Heart College. His style is influenced by the
imagery of Islamic and medieval miniatures, and of Russian iconography, the color of Latin American folk art, and the tradition
of Mexican muralists.
Swanson's art is represented in the permanent collections of many museums, including: The Smithsonian Institution's National
Museums of American History, American Art, and Air and Space; his works are in the print collections of the Art Institute
of Chicago, Harvard University's Fogg Museum, the Tate Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Bibliothèque
Nationale in Paris. His painting, The Procession, is displayed in the Vatican Museums' Collection of Modern Religious Art.
In August 2021, John August Swanson was awarded the Loyola Marymount University President’s Award, the highest non-degree
recognition bestowed by the university. He passed away shortly after on September 22.
This collection is organized into four series: Prints, Posters, Postcards & Correspondence, and Promotional Material.
The majority of this collection consists of art works by John August Swanson, including both original prints and digital printed
posters featuring messages of peace. The collection also includes postcards collected by Swanson, often displaying images
of religious art or religious destinations. Additionally, the collection includes material used for promotional purposes such
as postcards or booklets advertising Swanson's works.
Additional processing completed by Pamona Alexander.
Series 1: Prints
Scope and Contents
Contains prints such as serigraphs and giclées, along with some process material.
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 6
Acrobats
Physical Description: artist's proof; edition 3 of 10
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 6
Balancing Act
1995
Physical Description: serigraph; mixed color proofs on paper
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 6
Balancing Act
1995
Physical Description: serigraph; progressive proof, 15 colors printed over "Circus Bicyclist"
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 6
Balancing Act
1995
Physical Description: unsigned, titled; off-registration
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 6
Balancing Act
1995-01
Physical Description: edition 55 of 230
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 6
Balancing Act- A Visit
1995
Physical Description: serigraphs; mixed color proofs on paper
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 3
Brahms' Piano Quintet
2012
Physical Description: giclée; edition 15 of 50
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Celebration
Physical Description: "FILE COPY" stamp. Note under image reads "Not for Sale."
Map-case 4, Drawer 3
Celebration- photograph
1997
Scope and Contents
Photograph of the original acrylic on paper painting; used as guide in printing serigraph.
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 6
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 6
Circus Bicyclist/ Balancing Act- process material
Physical Description: note reading "Test experimenting with a way to give more shaping to figures and image" (Mylar)
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 6
Circus Bicyclist/ Balancing Act- process material
Physical Description: photocopy on Mylar- used to develop stencils (2 copies)
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 6
Circus Bicyclist project
1980
Physical Description: lithograph; precursor to the painting and serigraph editions
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
Circus Horses
1982-02
Physical Description: IV/VIII; artist's proof
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 3
City Park View
2011-10
Physical Description: giclée print; edition 9 of 50
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
The Conductor
1987
Physical Description: "For the A&SC at LMU" III/IV; hors de commmerce
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 1
Daniel
1983
Physical Description: color proof on paper of plate C (brown)
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 1
Daniel
1983
Physical Description: etching with aquatint; edition 50 of 50
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 7
Daniel
2000-10
Physical Description: serigraph; edition 133 of 220
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
David and Goliath
Physical Description: Note under image reads "File copy- for archives study - working proof."
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 7
David and Goliath
2005-06
Physical Description: serigraph; edition 45 of 250
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
Festival of Lights
1991
Physical Description: photo of original painting
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Flight Into Egypt
2002-01
Physical Description: Signed and dated. Handwritten under image: "Artist's Proof - 42 colors printed".
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Francis and the Wolf
Physical Description: "FILE COPY" stamp
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 3
Francis and the Wolf
2002-07
Physical Description: serigraph; edition 187 of 225
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 2
Francis Listens to the Fish
2018-11-26
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 2
Gift of Triptych: Gift of Sight
2017-09-18
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 2
Gift of Triptych: Gift of Water
2017-09-18
Physical Description: giclée proof
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 2
Gift of Triptych: Gift of Life
2017-09-18
Physical Description: giclée proof
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 2
Gift of Triptych
2017
Physical Description: giclée proof; contains three images
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 6
Good Samaritan
Physical Description: unsigned and untitled; green and blue
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Goose with the Golden Egg
Physical Description: "FILE COPY" stamp
Map-case 4, Drawer 3
Great Catch- photograph
1993
Scope and Contents
Photograph of 1992 acrylic painting, used as a guide in printing 1993 serigraph.
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 1
Hungry Eye
1971
Physical Description: off-set lithograph; edition 99 of 130
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
Last Supper
2009
Physical Description: serigraph color proofs
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 4
Last Supper
2009-04
Physical Description: Handwritten note under image: "Special proof for the Archives and Special Collections, Loyola Marymount Univ."
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
Last Supper- photocopy
2009
Physical Description: enlarged photocopy of Last Supper printed in procession (serigraph 2007)
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Last Supper
Physical Description: "FILE COPY" stamp. Adhesive residue on upper and lower borders.
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
Lazarus
2005
Physical Description: "for A&SC @ LMU"; file copy for archives- study working proof
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Loaves and Fishes
Physical Description: "FILE COPY" stamp
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 4
Loaves and Fishes
2003-11
Physical Description: serigraph; edition 134 of 250
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Madonna
Physical Description: "FILE COPY" stamp
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 3
Madonna of the Harvest
2010-03
Physical Description: serigraph; edition 74 of 180
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 4
One Together
1970
Physical Description: serigraph; edition 60
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Orchestra
Physical Description: Signed by artist. Note reads "Working Copy."
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Papageno
Physical Description: "FILE COPY" stamp
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
Papageno
2008
Physical Description: serigraph; unsigned with note reading "Archives and Special Collection at LMU"; "FILE COPY" stamp
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
Papageno- process material
2008
Physical Description: serigraph; color proof on Mylar; color #2 transparent burnt yellow ochre; spatter stencils for colors 4, 6, 7
Peaceable Kingdom
1994
Physical Description: Serigraph; edition 79 of 250. 47 colors used.
Physical Location: Framed print on display in reading room.
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Psalm 85
Physical Description: "FILE COPY" stamp
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
The Prodigal Son
1984
Physical Description: note reading "for the Archives and Special Collections at LMU"; "FILE COPY" stamp
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 7
Rainbow Runners
1971
Physical Description: serigraph; edition of 100 in red, white, and blue; edition of 40 in rainbow colors; working copy
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
Rainy Day
1981-08
Physical Description: edition 14 of 150
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
Rainy Day/ Rainbow City
1981
1997
Physical Description: artist's proof; II/XIII
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 2
The River
2018-11-09
Physical Description: "The River" is oversized and divided into two separate sheets: upper and lower.
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Saint Michael and the Archangels
Physical Description: "FILE COPY" stamp
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 6
Saint Michael and the Archangels
2006-08
Physical Description: serigraph; edition 96 of 250
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
Star Clown
2008
Physical Description: serigraph; note reading "Archives and Special Collections at Loyola Marymount Univ."; "FILE COPY" stamp
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
Star Clown- process material
1986
Physical Description: color photo reproduction; used in planning 2008 serigraph
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
Star Clown- process material
1986
Physical Description: photocopy of the painting with pencil sketch, used in planning serigraph
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 7
Story of Joseph
1986
Physical Description: serigraph; edition 145 of 200
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Story of the Prodigal Son
Physical Description: "FILE COPY" stamp
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 3
Story of Ruth
1991
Physical Description: serigraph; edition 231 of 280
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 7
Super Star (aka Instant Karma)
1970
Physical Description: serigraph; edition 77 of 80
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Tales of Hoffmann
Physical Description: "FILE COPY" stamp
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 3
Tales of Hoffmann
2001-08
Physical Description: serigraph; edition 173 of 250
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 11
Tales of Hoffman- color proofs
Scope and Contents
(3) 3x19” black and white early sketches and (10) 36x29” color prints, many with a label listing colors used. Some prints
are double-sided.
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Take Away the Stone
Physical Description: "FILE COPY" stamp. Some adhesive residue on upper left corner.
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
The Times They are a Changing
1969-03-01
Physical Description: edition 8 of 8
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 5
Washing of the Feet
2000
Physical Description: serigraph; note reading "for the Archives & Special Collections at Loyola Marymount"; "FILE COPY" stamp
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Star Clown
Physical Description: "FILE COPY" stamp. Adhesive damage and staining on top and bottom borders.
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Washing of the Feet
Physical Description: Blue ink pen mark across the bottom border. Back side has incomplete print of "Daniel" with various black ink marks over image.
Large red ink reads "CARD PRINT."
Map-case 4, Drawer 4, Folder 9
Wedding Feast
Physical Description: "FILE COPY" stamp
Box 1
Series 2: Posters
2014-2019
Scope and Contents
These posters combine original artwork with quotes from important individuals on the subjects of peace and hunger. Posters
are digital prints and the majority measure 19" x 13".
Francis Listens to the Fish
2018
Journey Through the Wilderness
2015
Five Dollar Gold Piece
2015
Physical Description: white background
Our Common Home (Journey in the Forest)
2015
Five Dollor Gold Piece
2015
Physical Description: rainbow background
Peaceable Kingdom
2019
Physical Description: Three copies; one shows early stages of development (January 20, 2019).
Box 1, Folder 2
Death Penalty and Prison Reform
Good Samaritan
2017
Physical Description: Two copies with color variants.
Buttery
2014
Physical Description: Two copies; one in sepia tones and one black and white.
Each Time I Think of You
2019
Box 1, Folder 6
Nuclear Weapons and Peace
Library
2017
Physical Description: Two copies; one with vertical orientation and one with horizontal orientation.
Sing a Song of World Peace
2020
Box 1, Folder 8
Super Star
2018-2019
Physical Description: Five copies total, four copies with style and color variations: blue, white, green, yellow
Box 1, Folder 8
Save the Post Office
2020
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 10
It's Time to Plant a Brand New World/ Seeds of Brotherhood
2012
Physical Description: 2 copies
Scope and Contents
Re-issue of "Seeds of Brotherhood"; limited edition of 1000
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 10
Struggle for Justice
1972
Physical Description: 2 copies
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 10
Seeds of Brotherhood
1973
Map-case 4, Drawer 5, Folder 10
Martin Luther King
2013
Scope and Contents
Rev. Martin Luther King "A Christmas Sermon on Peace" 1967
Box 2, Box 3, Folders 1-2
Series 3: Personal Material
Box 2
ceramic duck
Scope and Contents
Glazed ceramic duck made by Swanson as a child.
Box 3, Folder 1
family photographs
Scope and Contents
Black and white family photograph used as reference for "Family Picnic" artwork.
Box 3, Folders 3-4
Series 4: Promotional Material
Scope and Contents
This series contains postcards, greeting cards, a millennium day book, "The Art of John August Swanson" booklet describing
works displayed at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and "Conversations with John August Swanson" DVD.
