Paper short abstract:

See, compare and adapt: the individuality of Indo-Portuguese retable art begins with the missionaries understanding of the potential of conversion thru art, and at the same time, local artisans begin the introduction of non-liturgical representations, even though with the same devotional connotation

Paper long abstract:

The arriving in India by the Portuguese was the result of an economic intent disguised with the search of the long lost Christians. To maintain this strategy, after the conquest of the first territories along the Indian coast in the beginning of the sixteenth century, India bound ships carried, alongside missionaries, reinóis, governors and goods for trade, the first retables to furnish the newly built churches hoping to loyalty thru conversion. If at first, retables, alongside its artisans, were imported, soon was realized that local artisans used to carve deities and temples for many centuries could also embrace the carving of Our Ladies and retables. By making this choice, the missionaries were not only eliminating a problem but also providing the necessary elements towards the creation of unique representations in art, the resulting art forms of several praises combined with the Christian praise. The individuality of Indo-Portuguese retable art begins when the potential of conversion thru art is understood by the missionaries, and, at the same time, the local craftsmanship begins the introduction of non-liturgical representations, even though with the same devotional connotation. This bipolar action gives way to the process of comparison and adaptation of imported artistic and religious values. The study of the art and architectural forms and they're religious values will allow the understanding of its process of miscegenation and the reason behind the artistic options.