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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2009 /  Heritage of art

by Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published February 27, 2009

Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic Fr. Robert LaCroix, pastor of St. Linus Parish in Dearborn Heights, stands amid a series of replicas of great sacred works of art. Fr. LaCroix found a way, using digital technology and a local print shop, to produce large-scale replicas for only hundreds of dollars each.

Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic Parishioner Helen Walsh kneels in the corner of St. Linus church, before a large-scale version of Anthony van Dyck’s Crucifixion.

Dearborn Heights — It may come as no surprise to Catholics that there are churches in the world adorned with sacred artwork from great masters such as Raphael, Caravaggio, Bartolome Esteban Murillo and Matthias Stomer.

It may be a surprise, however, that St. Linus Parish in Dearborn Heights is one of those churches. Thanks to the capabilities of modern computers, and the resourcefulness of pastor Fr. Robert LaCroix, parishioners at St. Linus can examine, pray in front of, and learn about their faith from reproductions of some of the greatest sacred art ever known. Fr. LaCroix found a way to purchase the artwork and create replicas, some as large as six feet across, for well less than $1,000 apiece.

"The 'paintings' look great," says Fr. LaCroix. "You have to see them to understand. Some people think they're originals — they don't look bought."

In all, St. Linus has 15 such pieces of art, which are printed in high resolution on vinyl sheets and stretched over wooden frames. At any given time, typically based on the liturgical season, parishioners can take in eight of the near life-size paintings.

Following a renovation of the 50-year-old church two years ago, Fr. Lacroix decided the sanctuary could use some art. Having lived in Europe for a number of years, he'd grown to appreciate the great works from history.

"I looked for years for good art, good art for people to put in their houses," says Fr. LaCroix. "You just can't find good religious art. I was thinking for around the house, but much less big pictures for the church — things that can create an effect."

Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic “Incredulity of Saint Thomas,” a painting by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1573-1610), depicts St. Thomas touching the wounds of Christ after the resurrection.

Given the nature of digital imaging, and the impressive capabilities of even the average digital camera to produce high-quality photos, he knew there must be a legal and inexpensive way of reproducing works from the masters.

Through research, asking around, and giving it a trial run, he devised a four-step process:

1. Purchase an image through an online archive for fine art. Fr. LaCroix suggests Art Resource, which markets itself as the world's largest fine art and stock photo archive. Some museums also sell high-resolution images and slides.

St. Linus's artwork While the originals hang in famous European museums such as the Louvre in Paris, or on the walls of great churches such as the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, large-scale replicas of these famous paintings can be seen at St. Linus Church in Dearborn Heights: • "The Last Supper" by Juan de Juanes (painted circa 1560) • "Resurrection of Christ" by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) • "The Adoration of the Shepherds" by Bartolome Esteban Murillo (painted circa 1655) • "Triptych: Adoration of the Magi" by Hans Memling (1425-1494) • "Christ on the Mount of Olives" by Jacopo Marieschi (1711-1794) • "St. Jerome Writing" by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1573-1610) • "Resurrection of the Dead" by Paul Chenavard (1807-1845) • "Annunciation" by Matthias Stomer (c. 1600-c. 1650) • "Crucifixion" by Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) • "The Return of the Prodigal Son" by Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787) • "Incredulity of Saint Thomas" by Caravaggio • "Saint Michael Slaying the Demon" by Raphael (painted in 1518) • "The Adoration of the Lamb" by Jan van Eyck (c. 1390-1441) • "Resurrection of Christ" by Hendrick van der Broeck (1522-1600) • "Pentecost" by Louis Galloche (1670-1761)

2. Find a digital imaging service that has a drum scanner. Typically, such a scanner is used for high-end imaging and artwork. A local museum might be able to suggest a service that has the right equipment. Have the service scan the art at 500 megabyte resolution or better and put it onto a compact disc.

3. Take the CD to a local printing service. Fr. LaCroix used a FedEx Kinkos store. Most will be able to print the image, in high resolution, on vinyl or even canvas. They use the same technology as used to print large signs and banners.

4. Once the photo is printed on the vinyl or canvas, build a simple wooden frame, stretch the image over the frame and staple it in the back.

While the last step might take some handiwork, Fr. LaCroix says the cost savings between having a replica printed and purchasing a professionally-painted replica of the great works of arts is easily in the thousands.

Works such as Stomer's Annunciation, Jan van Eyck's The Adoration of the Lamb, Caravaggio's St. Jerome Writing, and Hendrick van der Broeck's Resurrection of Christ are all featured large-scale in the church, and cost the parish an average of only about $500 each.

"I think it's actually worthwhile letting people know about (how it was done)," says Fr. LaCroix. "I am interested in making more available the treasures of history to thirsty souls when you just can't find this stuff anywhere."

Others at the parish are glad St. Linus Church can be home to some of the great artwork.

"I think everything is so beautiful," says parishioner Helen Walsh, who knelt to pray in front of a replica of Anthony van Dyck's Crucifixion, which following the renovation of the church was placed on the wall where the church's cross used to be. "You can picture it. They're all beautiful."

Deacon Jerry Schiffer says the paintings can act as reference points to the life of Christ and the Church, just as stained glass windows do in older churches.

"They used to teach the story of the faith through the stained glass windows, and we unfortunately do not have those," says Deacon Schiffer. "So the artwork is a way of adult faith formation, helping people renew their faith by looking at these paintings and trying to understand the message of each one of them… and to help explain to their children the same thing."

In the spirit of having parishioners and their children learn from the artwork, some of the images have prayer cards next to them – something Fr. LaCroix says he hopes to use provide with all the pictures.

"It not only beautifies the church in the sense of having great art on the walls, but it's also an excellent way of teaching," Deacon Schiffer says. "And that's what we are about, and what we should be about."