Jesuit Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção (St. Paul’s) is one of the artworks that we went through and surprised me a lot because I would never think that it was a piece in Asia. It is the exact same as a European Baroque artwork.
First, it embodies a lot of Catholic stories that are symbolic in Baroque art. For example, it includes sculptures of Francisco Borgia, Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, and Aloysius Gonzaga. The magnificent and gorgeous appearance conveys the message of the glory and power of God. The intricate carvings, sculptures, and decorations are designed to inspire awe in the faithful, expressing the grandeur and majesty of the Christian faith. However, it is interesting to me that it includes the young version of Jesus instead of Jesus on a cross to adapt to Asian culture. It also incorporates images that represent Chinese culture, such as dragons, into this European-style church.
What is more, the entire shape and structure are basically a copy of Giacomo da Vignola, Plan for the façade, Il Gesù in Rome. They both contain intricate carvings and sculptures, including images of saints, angels, and biblical scenes. The dramatic design of the exterior, the use of ornamentation, and the attention to detail are all hallmarks of the Baroque style that are expressed by this ruin in Asia.
Although the entire church was destroyed, the ruin still shows the complexity and grand design of the church as a whole. It highlights the respect and contribution to religion at the time, which is later challenged by Asian culture and politics.
