The Formalism Issue of Catholic Iconography in China

Abstract

During the Republican period in China, the Catholic Church gradually developed and grew in China and made attempts to localize itself in different fields, one of which was the promotion of localized Catholic icon painting in the field of art. Due to the problem of divergence between Chinese and Western cultures and styles, formalistic expressions of these paintings emerged. As a representative practice of Catholic painting in China, Beiping Fu Jen Catholic University, with Chinese painting style as its main focus and Western style as its auxiliary, consciously innovated the expression of Catholic icon painting in China, however, in the expression of content and selection of subject matter, excessive emphasis was placed on Chinese visual language to cater to the tastes of Chinese audiences, and as the edifying function of Catholic painting failed to be exercised to a certain extent. There is still a certain degree of formalism. The development of Catholic painting in China needs to find a balance between the spirit of doctrine and Chinese visual culture, integrate Catholic aesthetics into the Chinese painting tradition, and create a new form of painting language, rather than the migration and appropriation of visual symbols.