Press Release

The Basilica of the National Shrine of The Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC Acquires Religious Portrait Painting by R. Jean Vallieres

Pittsburgh, PA. -- May 4, 2006: The Basilica of the National Shrine of The Immaculate Conception has, through special arrangement, acquired a major religious oil painting by Pittsburgh painter R. Jean Vallieres for display within the Basilica and National Shrine. The oil painting is currently being framed by a Fine Art Gallery in Washington and when framing is completed, the painting will be exhibited within the Basilica.

“It is my great joy to present this religious oil painting to the Basilica, which I hope will elevate public awareness of great religious themes, and encourage other artists to focus on religious subject matter. In this modern era fine arts focus on religious themes has given way to minimalism and real time pop art. In the decades to come only the great works of art will survive, and among those that survive will l be works focused on spiritual and religious sensibilities,” states painter R. Jean Vallieres.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the Patronal Church of United States Catholics and American’s preeminent Marian Shire. Begun in 1926 and completed in 1959, is the largest Catholic church in the United States and 12th largest church in the world. The Basilica is located on Michigan Avenue, Washington, DC, is visited annually by thousands of pilgrims and visitors from around the world.

R. Jean Vallieres
Mr. Vallieres, considered by fine art galleries a new style Neoclassical American Realism artist, has quietly and quickly established a paramount reputation for his religious works, which he rarely displays. His religious paintings focus on pain and suffering, and immediately draw the attention of the viewer. While brighter pastel colors dominate commercial art today, Vallieres’ works show a surprising shift to a blacker and whiter palette that allows for more detailed and personally expressive imagery. [Following is a photo of a painting recently completed by Mr. Vallieres exemplifying the technique used in many of the artist’s religious subject matter.]

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BASILICA AND ITS PLANS TO DISPLAY THE PAINTING CONTACT: Dr. Geraldine M. Rhohling, Ph.D., Archivist, Basilica of the National Shrine 202-281-0627.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PAINTING CONTACT: R. Jean Vallieres, 412-596-0033.