14 replies to this topic

[Clareni]

I have a special devotion to the missionary work of the church in East Asia. Please allow me to post some examples of art done by the faithful in China and I would love to see other work that folks know about from Japan, Korea and China.

The first Chinese Madonna and Child painting is by Tang Yin and dates from 1500-1524, done in the style ofSalus Populi Romani, a famous Italian work that probably inspired copies brought by early Franciscan missionaries.

[Clareni]

The Annunciation by an unknown artist (20th century).

[Clareni]

The Assumption by an unknown artist (20th century)

[Nihil Obstat]

These ones are rather more modern, maybe less iconography so much as religious art (though I'd rather not speculate), but I really love these Japanese Madonnas. I believe they're done by a Carmelite nun (maybe several?) from Tokyo:









More at this link.

I saved all the pictures on that link and used it as a screensaver.

Also L_C sent me a card with what I think was a Chinese madonna (could easily have been Korean, perhaps Japanese, but I don't remember right now), when she sent me a rosary. I'll have to check again, but I don't have it handy. If I remember I'll try to scan it and blow it up a bit.

Edited by Nihil Obstat, 20 March 2012 - 12:15 AM.

[Clareni]

These ones are rather more modern, maybe less iconography so much as religious art (though I'd rather not speculate),
Also L_C sent me a card with what I think was a Chinese madonna (could easily have been Korean, perhaps Japanese, but I don't remember right now), when she sent me a rosary. I'll have to check again, but I don't have it handy. If I remember I'll try to scan it and blow it up a bit.

Religious art is iconography although sometimes that term is used exclusively for the paintings on wood panels used in Orthodox
Churches. I like the 20th century work from China because it was the fruit of the intense missionary work done there that started in the 19th century and continued until all the missionaries were expelled in 1955. What you see in this work is the translation of Christian truth to an Asian aesthetic context done by artists who were converts.

I really liked the Japanese works and I hope you scan the Chinese example you mentioned. On my next trip to China, I hope to visit the cathedral in Shanghai which was re-furbished to feature Chinese Christian art.

[Clareni]

Here is one more recent Chinese example from Chu Kar Kui (Gary Chu) entitled "Holy Mary, Empress of China" which is displayed in a church in Beijing.

[RezaMikhaeil]

There are some that date back further then those... I wish that I had a link. During the Tang Dynasty, Syriac Orthodox Christians were present and involved in society.

[Clareni]

There are some that date back further then those... I wish that I had a link. During the Tang Dynasty, Syriac Orthodox Christians were present and involved in society.

Please post them if you can. I have never seen these and would be very interested. The Nestorians also got to China very early although I doubt they left anything commemorating Mary.

[Nihil Obstat]

Religious art is iconography although sometimes that term is used exclusively for the paintings on wood panels used in Orthodox
Churches.

I don't think I could call all religious art iconongraphy, though I don't go as far as someone like Apotheoun in insisting that only art which strictly follows the typical eastern style is not truly iconography. I'm a bit in between, though I'm not sure yet what principles I use to determine which is which.

[zabbazooey]

These are beautiful!

[Seven77]

Chinese Madonna and child - Macau by Pondspider, on Flickr

[cmotherofpirl]

Hey can we do a gallery of this stuff? sort of like pinterest?

[arfink]

Yeah, this thread kinda died. Any more of this stuff?

[Lil Red]

where's goldenchild? he has a tat of our lady of akita (i thought)

[arfink]

where's goldenchild? he has a tat of our lady of akita (i thought)

razzle dazzle!

I am going to try imitating some Asian madonna painting styles, so I'm trying to gather up anything I can find. It's being voraciously devoured by my eyes and mind for a project of mine.