Paper short abstract:

The architectural composition of the indo-Portuguese altarpieces share proximity points with the national production but one soon realizes we’re looking at two distinct artistic realities. Comprehending the singularities in each artistic scenario not only envisions us with the artisans/workshops areas of actuation but also approaches us to the definition of indo-Portuguese retable art.

Paper long abstract:

The altarpieces, in the scenario of the quest for evangelization of the Indian sub-continent, began to acquire different forms, different artistic grammars and most of all, a spectacular inter-religiosity dialogue, for local long term generation artisans were now in the making of these altarpieces. The altarpiece is in this perspective the representative of faith through art, the book in images. The symbols are replaced, the forms are altered and the scales are enlarged. The (in) comprehension of the Christian symbols, the immersion into the Christian religious culture and the absorbing of religious values that in last analysis would provide the desired conversion would be given majestically without any adulteration in the quality of its making. As local artisans are introduced in the artistic process, the classical model of the altarpiece begins to undergo changes that individualize each specimen.