Misplaced Pages

China Illustrata: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 23:53, 14 September 2024 editLlywelynII (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, IP block exemptions90,637 edits no need for duplicate #s← Previous edit Revision as of 00:02, 15 September 2024 edit undoLlywelynII (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, IP block exemptions90,637 edits formatting, esp. to link citesTags: harv-error Disambiguation links addedNext edit →
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Book by Athanasius Kircher}} {{short description|Book by Athanasius Kircher}}
{{italic title}} {{italic title}}
] ] depicting ] and ]{{sfnp|Kircher|1667|loc=Frontispiece}}]]


'''{{lang|la|China Illustrata}}''' (] for "China Illustrated") is the 1667 published book written by the ] ] (1602–1680) that compiles the 17th-century European knowledge on the ] and its neighboring countries. '''{{lang|la|China Illustrata}}''' (] for "China Illustrated") is the 1667 published book written by the ] ] (1602–1680) that compiles the 17th-century European knowledge on the ] and its neighboring countries.
Line 11: Line 11:


== Reception and significance == == Reception and significance ==
] ]
Kircher himself had never been to China, but compiled the oral and written reports of former Jesuit missionaries to publish a summary of the knowledge on China and Tibet collected by Europeans in the 17th century. At that time ''China Illustrata'' was successful and got translated into Dutch (1668),{{sfnp|Glazemaker|1668}} English (1669{{sfnp|Ogilby|1669}} & 1673),{{sfnp|Ogilby|1673}} and French (1670){{sfnp|D'Alquié|1670}} shortly after the Latin original had been published in 1667. ]'s English versions only included a greatly abbreviated treatment of Kircher's work in their appendix, being principally concerned with ]'s ] and the Jesuit ]'s rebuttal to some of its claims and aims.{{sfnp|Ogilby|1669}} The work, however, awakened great interest in China and inspired numerous further English publications on far Eastern travels and discoveries.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Szczensniak|first=Baleslaw|date=1952|title=Athanasius Kircher's China Illustrata|jstor=301822|journal=History of Science Society|volume= 10|pages=385–411}}</ref> The French edition included an exchange of letters between ], ] of ], and ] and also an early ]{{ndash}}] dictionary.{{sfnp|D'Alquié|1670}} Kircher himself had never been to China, but compiled the oral and written reports of former Jesuit missionaries to publish a summary of the knowledge on China and Tibet collected by Europeans in the 17th century. At that time {{lang|la|China Illustrata}} was successful and got translated into Dutch (1668),{{sfnp|Glazemaker|1668}} English (1669{{sfnp|Ogilby|1669}} & 1673),{{sfnp|Ogilby|1673}} and French (1670){{sfnp|D'Alquié|1670}} shortly after the Latin original had been published in 1667. ]'s English versions only included a greatly abbreviated treatment of Kircher's work in their appendix, being principally concerned with ]'s ] and the Jesuit ]'s rebuttal to some of its claims and aims.{{sfnp|Ogilby|1669}} The work, however, awakened great interest in China and inspired numerous further English publications on far Eastern travels and discoveries.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Szczensniak|first=Baleslaw|date=1952|title=Athanasius Kircher's China Illustrata|jstor=301822|journal=History of Science Society|volume= 10|pages=385–411}}</ref> The French edition included an exchange of letters between ], ] of ], and ] and also an early ]{{ndash}}] dictionary.{{sfnp|D'Alquié|1670}}


However, ''China Illustrata'' was also criticized. ] described the book as a work of entertainment rather than serious scholarship.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.deutsches-museum.de/bibliothek/unsere-schaetze/laender-reisen/kircher/|title=Kircher|publisher=]|website=www.deutsches-museum.de|language=de|access-date=2018-06-10}}</ref> Egyptologist ] agreed that Kircher had written a book for the public at large rather than for scholars.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Geschichte der deutschsprachigen Ägyptologie|last=Gertzen|first=Thomas L.|publisher=De Gruyter Oudenbourg|year=2017|location=Berlin/ Boston|pages=33}}</ref> However, {{lang|la|China Illustrata}} was also criticized. ] described the book as a work of entertainment rather than serious scholarship.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.deutsches-museum.de/bibliothek/unsere-schaetze/laender-reisen/kircher/|title=Kircher|publisher=]|website=www.deutsches-museum.de|language=de|access-date=2018-06-10}}</ref> Egyptologist ] agreed that Kircher had written a book for the public at large rather than for scholars.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Geschichte der deutschsprachigen Ägyptologie|last=Gertzen|first=Thomas L.|publisher=De Gruyter Oudenbourg|year=2017|location=Berlin/ Boston|pages=33}}</ref>


But others argue that ''China Illustrata'' was the first and most important writing to shape Western understanding and knowledge of China for over two hundred years.{{sfnp|Van Tuyl|1986|p=i}}<ref name=":3" /> Indeed, it became one of the most influential and popular books of the 17th century<ref>{{Cite book|title=Asia in the eyes of Europe. Sixteenth through Eighteenth Centuries|last=Lach|first=Donals F.|publisher=The University of Chicago Library|year=1991|isbn=0-943056-14-4|location=Chicago|pages=39}}</ref> and is even today considered "an important source of information on the beginnings of western ] and sinophilism in Europe".<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deutsches-museum.de/bibliothek/unsere-schaetze/laender-reisen/kircher/das-buch/?sword_list%5B%5D=kirche&sword_list%5B%5D=china&sword_list%5B%5D=illustrata&no_cache=1|title=Das Buch|publisher=]|website=www.deutsches-museum.de|language=de|access-date=2018-06-10}}</ref> But others argue that {{lang|la|China Illustrata}} was the first and most important writing to shape Western understanding and knowledge of China for over two hundred years.{{sfnp|Van Tuyl|1986|p=i}}<ref name=":3" /> Indeed, it became one of the most influential and popular books of the 17th century<ref>{{Cite book|title=Asia in the eyes of Europe. Sixteenth through Eighteenth Centuries|last=Lach|first=Donals F.|publisher=The University of Chicago Library|year=1991|isbn=0-943056-14-4|location=Chicago|pages=39}}</ref> and is even today considered "an important source of information on the beginnings of western ] and sinophilism in Europe".<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deutsches-museum.de/bibliothek/unsere-schaetze/laender-reisen/kircher/das-buch/?sword_list%5B%5D=kirche&sword_list%5B%5D=china&sword_list%5B%5D=illustrata&no_cache=1|title=Das Buch|publisher=]|website=www.deutsches-museum.de|language=de|access-date=2018-06-10}}</ref>


== Content == == Content ==
Kircher's work is an encyclopedia about the Chinese empire containing accurate cartography and illustrations that elucidate the vivid descriptions found in the text. The volume is a cultural account of China ranging from religious practices and social customs over languages to China's natural wonders, such as exotic plants and animals.{{sfnp|Van Tuyl|1986}} By collecting and compiling information taken from fellow Jesuits including ], ], ], ] and ], Kircher achieves to create an authentic secondary study on Chinese people, nature and mythology.<ref>{{Cite book|title=China on Paper. European and Chinese Works from the Late Sixteenth to the Early Nineteenth Century|year=2007|url=https://archive.org/details/chinaonpapereuro00reed|url-access=limited|last=Reed|first=Marcia|publisher=Getty Research Institute|pages=|isbn=9780892368693 }}</ref> Kircher's work is an encyclopedia about the Chinese empire containing accurate cartography and illustrations that elucidate the vivid descriptions found in the text. The volume is a cultural account of China ranging from religious practices and social customs over languages to China's natural wonders, such as exotic plants and animals.{{sfnp|Van Tuyl|1986}} By collecting and compiling information taken from fellow Jesuits including ], ], ], ] and ], Kircher achieves to create an authentic secondary study on Chinese people, nature and mythology.<ref>{{Cite book|title=China on Paper. European and Chinese Works from the Late Sixteenth to the Early Nineteenth Century|year=2007|url=https://archive.org/details/chinaonpapereuro00reed|url-access=limited|last=Reed|first=Marcia|publisher=Getty Research Institute|pages=|isbn=9780892368693 }}</ref>
] ]", combining topography with ]{{sfnp|Kircher|1667|p=171}}]]
There were several reasons for Kircher to write ''China Illustrata''. First, he wanted to promote the missionaries' work and tell about the great journeys of Europeans in China. Second, he was also driven by his strong personal interest in Chinese language and culture. He collected Chinese objects for display in his museum, a chamber of curiosity in Rome established in 1651 and named '']'' after Kircher himself.<ref name=":3" /> There were several reasons for Kircher to write ''China Illustrata''. First, he wanted to promote the missionaries' work and tell about the great journeys of Europeans in China. Second, he was also driven by his strong personal interest in Chinese language and culture. He collected Chinese objects for display in his museum, a chamber of curiosity in Rome established in 1651 and named '']'' after Kircher himself.<ref name=":3" />


Line 28: Line 28:


===Illustrations === ===Illustrations ===
The most important and interesting features of Kircher's book – especially at that time – are numerous illustrations of nature, rare portraits of emperors and Jesuits, and accurate maps of China that are from high cartographical quality.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Szczesniak|first=Baleslaw|date=1952|title=Athanasius Kircher's: China Illustrata|journal=History of Science Society|volume= 10|pages=385–411|jstor=301822}}</ref> The illustrations of plants and animals are based on ]'s ''Flora Sinensis'' and some of the images are derived from Chinese originals.<ref>{{Cite book|title=China on Paper|last=Reed|first=Marcia|publisher=Getty Research Institute|year=2007|isbn=978-1-60606-068-1|location=Los Angeles}}</ref> The most important and interesting features of Kircher's book{{mdash}}especially at that time{{mdash}}are numerous illustrations of nature, rare portraits of emperors and Jesuits, and accurate maps of China of high cartographical quality.<ref name=":2"/> The illustrations of plants and animals are based on ]'s {{lang|la|Flora Sinensis}} and some of the images are derived from Chinese originals.<ref>{{Cite book|title=China on Paper|last=Reed|first=Marcia|publisher=Getty Research Institute|year=2007|isbn=978-1-60606-068-1|location=Los Angeles}}</ref>


Illustrations play an important role in most of Kircher's works and they "have a quality of ingenuity and strangeness that are particular to his century".<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|title=Athanasius Kircher's Theatre of The World|last=Godwin|first=Joscelyn|publisher=Thames& Hudson|year=2009|isbn=978-0-500-25860-6|location=London|pages=7}}</ref> ''China Illustrata'' contains a number of realistic depictions of Chinese plants and animals, but also fictitious images, such as the "Dragon and Tiger mountain" (''China Illustrata'', p.&nbsp;171) said to be existent in the ]. Although Kircher himself did not create most of the images, he chose them wisely in order to elucidate the descriptions found in the text.<ref name=":4" /> Illustrations play an important role in most of Kircher's works and they "have a quality of ingenuity and strangeness that are particular to his century".<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|title=Athanasius Kircher's Theatre of The World|last=Godwin|first=Joscelyn|publisher=Thames& Hudson|year=2009|isbn=978-0-500-25860-6|location=London|pages=7}}</ref> {{lang|la|China Illustrata}} contains a number of realistic depictions of Chinese plants and animals, but also fictitious images, such as the "Dragon and Tiger Mountain".{{sfnp|Kircher|1667|p=171}} Although Kircher himself did not create most of the images, he chose them wisely in order to elucidate the descriptions found in the text.<ref name=":4" />

] ]


=== Chapters === === Chapters ===

Revision as of 00:02, 15 September 2024

Book by Athanasius Kircher

Frontispiece depicting Schall von Bell and Matteo Ricci

China Illustrata (Latin for "China Illustrated") is the 1667 published book written by the Jesuit Athanasius Kircher (1602–1680) that compiles the 17th-century European knowledge on the Chinese Empire and its neighboring countries.

Author and publisher

Athanasius Kircher was a polymath who published around 40 major works in the field of both the humanities and the sciences. He was based at the Jesuits' College in Rome, where he had access to many reports that Chinese-based missionaries sent back to the Jesuits' administrative offices. The accessibility to essential material, as well as Kircher's vast interest in Chinese language and culture, gave the impulse to present the unknown East in one comprehensive volume of 237 pages. The scholar was therefore considered an expert on China, although he had never visited the country.

Kircher's regular publisher, a printing house in Amsterdam run by Janssonius van Waesberge and Elizer Weyerstraten, produced the first copy of his work. In the same year another publisher named Jacob van Meurs brought out a copy of the text. Both editions are almost identical with the same content, pagination, and illustrations.

Reception and significance

Illustration of turtles

Kircher himself had never been to China, but compiled the oral and written reports of former Jesuit missionaries to publish a summary of the knowledge on China and Tibet collected by Europeans in the 17th century. At that time China Illustrata was successful and got translated into Dutch (1668), English (1669 & 1673), and French (1670) shortly after the Latin original had been published in 1667. John Ogilby's English versions only included a greatly abbreviated treatment of Kircher's work in their appendix, being principally concerned with Johan Nieuhof's account of a Dutch embassy to Beijing and the Jesuit Johann Adam Schall von Bell's rebuttal to some of its claims and aims. The work, however, awakened great interest in China and inspired numerous further English publications on far Eastern travels and discoveries. The French edition included an exchange of letters between Ferdinando II de' Medici, grand duke of Tuscany, and Johann Grueber and also an early Chinese–French dictionary.

However, China Illustrata was also criticized. Gottfried Leibniz described the book as a work of entertainment rather than serious scholarship. Egyptologist Adolf Erman agreed that Kircher had written a book for the public at large rather than for scholars.

But others argue that China Illustrata was the first and most important writing to shape Western understanding and knowledge of China for over two hundred years. Indeed, it became one of the most influential and popular books of the 17th century and is even today considered "an important source of information on the beginnings of western sinology and sinophilism in Europe".

Content

Kircher's work is an encyclopedia about the Chinese empire containing accurate cartography and illustrations that elucidate the vivid descriptions found in the text. The volume is a cultural account of China ranging from religious practices and social customs over languages to China's natural wonders, such as exotic plants and animals. By collecting and compiling information taken from fellow Jesuits including Matteo Ricci, Martino Martini, Johann Adam Schall von Bell, Johann Grueber and Heinrich Roth, Kircher achieves to create an authentic secondary study on Chinese people, nature and mythology.

"Dragon and Tiger Mountain of Ki'amsi", combining topography with Chinese mythology

There were several reasons for Kircher to write China Illustrata. First, he wanted to promote the missionaries' work and tell about the great journeys of Europeans in China. Second, he was also driven by his strong personal interest in Chinese language and culture. He collected Chinese objects for display in his museum, a chamber of curiosity in Rome established in 1651 and named Musaeum Kircherianum after Kircher himself.

Apart from describing and illustrating foreign objects and exotic creatures, the book also dwells on relations between China and the West. Kircher connects Western, Indian, Chinese and Japanese Idolatry and tries to prove the evidence of early Christianity in China. His work emphasises Christian elements in Chinese history, starting with the presence of Nestorians in the city of Xi’an. Kircher bases this assumption on the Sino-Syrian monument that was found there in the 8th century. In his interpretation the inscription on the monument is a proof of the first declaration of the Gospel in China.

Kircher also declared that the Chinese script originated from the Egyptian hieroglyphs, since both writing systems were designed on pictorial principles.

Illustrations

The most important and interesting features of Kircher's book—especially at that time—are numerous illustrations of nature, rare portraits of emperors and Jesuits, and accurate maps of China of high cartographical quality. The illustrations of plants and animals are based on Michel Boym's Flora Sinensis and some of the images are derived from Chinese originals.

Illustrations play an important role in most of Kircher's works and they "have a quality of ingenuity and strangeness that are particular to his century". China Illustrata contains a number of realistic depictions of Chinese plants and animals, but also fictitious images, such as the "Dragon and Tiger Mountain". Although Kircher himself did not create most of the images, he chose them wisely in order to elucidate the descriptions found in the text.

Kircher's attempt to explain the origins of Chinese characters.

Chapters

The book is divided into six sections:

Part One explains the meaning and significance of the eighth-century Sino-Syrian monument (42 pages)
Part Two tells about various journeys undertaken in China, including the Journey of Marco Polo (78 pages)
Part Three claims parallels between Western, Indian, Chinese and Japanese Idolatry (38 pages)
Part Four gives descriptions and illustrations of the flora and fauna in China (44 pages)
Part Five talks about the architecture and mechanical arts of the Chinese (11 pages)
Part Six is concerned with the Chinese language and its relationship with the Hieroglyphic characters (12 pages)

Editions

References

  1. Kircher (1667), Frontispiece. sfnp error: no target: CITEREFKircher1667 (help)
  2. ^ "China Illustrata | Beyond Ricci". ricci.bc.edu. Retrieved 2018-06-04.
  3. Weststeijn, Thijs (September 6, 2012). "The Middle Kingdom in the Low Countries. Sinology in the Seventeenth-Century Netherlands". The Making of the Humanities. II: 210–240.
  4. Kircher (1667), p. 196. sfnp error: no target: CITEREFKircher1667 (help)
  5. Glazemaker (1668).
  6. ^ Ogilby (1669).
  7. Ogilby (1673).
  8. ^ D'Alquié (1670).
  9. ^ Szczensniak, Baleslaw (1952). "Athanasius Kircher's China Illustrata". History of Science Society. 10: 385–411. JSTOR 301822.
  10. ^ "Kircher". www.deutsches-museum.de (in German). Deutsches Museum. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
  11. Gertzen, Thomas L. (2017). Geschichte der deutschsprachigen Ägyptologie. Berlin/ Boston: De Gruyter Oudenbourg. p. 33.
  12. Van Tuyl (1986), p. i.
  13. Lach, Donals F. (1991). Asia in the eyes of Europe. Sixteenth through Eighteenth Centuries. Chicago: The University of Chicago Library. p. 39. ISBN 0-943056-14-4.
  14. "Das Buch". www.deutsches-museum.de (in German). Deutsches Museum. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
  15. ^ Van Tuyl (1986).
  16. Reed, Marcia (2007). China on Paper. European and Chinese Works from the Late Sixteenth to the Early Nineteenth Century. Getty Research Institute. pp. 148. ISBN 9780892368693.
  17. ^ Kircher (1667), p. 171. sfnp error: no target: CITEREFKircher1667 (help)
  18. "China illustrata - Ostasieninstitut". www.oai.de (in German). Retrieved 2018-06-10.
  19. Godwin, Joscelyn (1979). Athanasius Kircher. A Renaissance Man and the Quest for Lost Knowledge. London: Thames and Hudson. p. 51.
  20. Reed, Marcia (2007). China on Paper. Los Angeles: Getty Research Institute. ISBN 978-1-60606-068-1.
  21. ^ Godwin, Joscelyn (2009). Athanasius Kircher's Theatre of The World. London: Thames& Hudson. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-500-25860-6.
  22. Kircher (1667), p. 219. sfnp error: no target: CITEREFKircher1667 (help)
Categories: