Robert E. Rambusch ( American)

A Vision Of Saint John

This mid century modern painting by Robert Rambusch takes its inspiration from ancient Russian Icons . Mr. Rambusch applied vivid colors and bold looks of the 60’s /70’s along with incredible details of the Icons all relating religion to the people of this century.

In the painting St. John the Apostle is shown holding a bible which references the Book of Revelation 21 which reads “I Saw the New Holy City”. The church depicted is that of St. John’s Church in Brooklyn, NY with the church name and date on the front tower.

Robert Rambusch is a well know liturgical engineer and he had been involved in the restoration of 24 cathedrals In North America and hundreds of churches and monasteries including a restoration of St John’s Church after a fire in the early 70’s.

Mr. Rambusch is now in his 90’s and in an article “A Life Dedicated to Sacred Art” by Gonzaque Leroux he describes his creative process as ” based on his beliefs that “religious” art cannot develop outside of the artistic life of it’s time”.

The article explains that Mr. Rambusch was taught by a French Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritan who believes that ” we must allow art to speak to the people” . “The beholder is then naturally invited to open his or her own inner space in a quiet attitude, to enter into an inner dialogue with the artwork”.

This painting does exactly that by drawing the viewer in with captivating color , details and imagery. A different message can be revealed each time one looks at the piece.