Living Bulwark

April 2012 - Vol. 59

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Road to Emmaus
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painting by John Dunne

John Dunne is a noted Irish painter. He and his wife are members of Nazareth Community in Dublin, Ireland.

John explains the theme of his work, Road to Emmaus: "I have attempted to get the viewer to ask a particular question – What effect the meeting of a stranger can have on us? We know the events that followed the meeting of the two disciples on that road, but they did not recognize the Christ until he broke the bread with them (Luke 24:13-35). Most of the works by other artists on this theme show this moment of the breaking of the bread. This is my attempt to take a fresh view of this wonderful event."

Throughout his career as an accomplished artist, John has traveled in many countries. He has absorbed influences from the Far East and the Mediterranean. His interests include theology and its relationship to art. He has a degree in theology. For many years he has worked on different themes which are based in literature. Two examples are childrens' games played in Dublin during his childhood and the great legends of the Irish hero Cuchulain, interpreted by the Irish poet Thomas Kinsilla. Major exhibitions have included a series of paintings on the "Song of Songs," a series of ten large paintings based on the poem "Dream of Gerontius" by John Henry Newman, and a series of seven paintings based on the last seven words of Jesus on the cross.

> See related page • The Seven Last Words of Jesus: paintings and reflections by John Dunne .