John Lu Hung-nien's Annunciation

We have featured many times before Japanese and Chinese Madonnas and for the feast of the Annunciation, today seemed like another good opportunity to share an image from this rich tradition of inculturated sacred art.  The piece in question, which is a painted on silk in the traditional manner, was done by the Chinese Catholic artist, John Hung-nien (1919-1989) and was painted in 1948 in Beijing.  The image is, at one and the same time, both 'foreign' as well as familiar. 

As is often the case with oriental art, themes of nature as well as architecture feature prominently throughout, the Virgin Mary shown depicted wearing a red cloak, kneeling at a prie-dieu with bamboo trees peering through a window behind while the angel is shown holding the traditional symbol of purity and virginity, the white lily, while at her feet are what appears to be orange tiger lillies. 

By way of comparison, here is another Annunciation, likewise painted by John Lu Hung-nien, and likewise showing a number of similar themes. 

Of course, Lu Hongnian did not only paint Annunciation scenes. Here are two more examples of this artist's splendid work for your edification and enjoyment today:

The Flight into Egypt

Jesus with the woman at the well