A NEW painting by a British Catholic artist places Robert Schuman, the senior French politician and architect of European union, beside the patron saints of Europe.
John Armstrong’s “Europe: Vision of Hope” is an oil-on-board depiction of Our Lady protecting Europe, surrounded by six other saints, with gold leaf halos, and Schuman.
Mr Armstrong created the painting in response to the late Pope John Paul II’s concern to acknowledge Europe’s Christian roots and his call for greater collaboration between art and the Church.
Mr Armstrong said that his painting draws attention to the need for good Church art and music to attract people to the Church. He added that Church art was integral to worship and must not be merely decoration or an addition to the architecture.