The Beginning of the Inculturation of Chinese Catholic Art after "Maximum Illud"

 

Author: 

SHEN Lu, Professor, School of Design Art of Shandong Youth University of Political Science.


Abstract:

After Benedict XV issued the apostolic letter Maximum Illud in 1919, promoting the Christian indigenization movement throughout the world, the Holy See sent Celso Costantini, to China as Apostolic Delegate to implement Maximum Illud and promote a localized church. Constantini initiated a series of reform measures, especially in the realm of art. Based on extant historical data, this paper attempts to reconstruct the original context of the indigenization of Catholic painting, by integrating aspects of the social and historical environment with art history and the artistss’ experience of painting, aiming to present a detailed exposition of the process of the reformation of Catholic painting.


Keywords:

Maximum Illud, Celso Costantini, Indigenization of Catholic Painting, Initiate


Full Text (International Version):

SHEN Lu JSCC