Four years ago on Christmas Day I posted a selection of nativity paintings originating mainly in non-Western cultures. Each year since then that post has ranked as one of the five most-read posts on this site, with over twelve thousand views to date. So I’ve decided to do a part 2.
My friend Scott Rayl shared a quote with me this week by S. D. Gordon: “Jesus was God spelling Himself out in language humanity could understand.” What a succinct summary of the Incarnation!
Today we celebrate the transcendent God made immanent, accessible. We celebrate his new name: Emmanuel, God-with-us. The artists here can aid us in that celebration.
Australia (Aboriginal):
Mawalan Marika (Rirratjingu/Australian, 1908-1967), Nativity, ca. 1960. Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, 109.5 x 33.8 cm.
First Nations of Canada:
Jackson Beardy (Oji-Cree, 1944-1984), The Nativity, 1975. Acrylic on canvas, 121.1 x 172.1 cm.
Guatemala:
Father John Battista Giuliani (Italian American, 1932-), Nazareth. Oil on canvas, 24 x 24 in.
Nicaragua:
Nativity mural at Batahola Norte Community Center, Managua, Nicaragua.
India:
Angelo da Fonseca (Indian, 1902-1967), Nativity, 1954.
Thailand:
Sawai Chinnawong (Thai, 1959-), Nativity, 2002. Oil on canvas.
China:
Lu Lan, Nativity, 1994.
Japan:
Hiroshi Tabata (Japanese), Nativity, 1998.
Korea:
Kim Hueng Jong (Korean, 1928-), Christmas Scene.
Vietnam:
Le Van Dai (Vietnamese), Nativity, 1980s. Watercolor on paper.
Philippines:
Federico Dominguez (Filipino, 1953-), from the “Yang ya Utaw si Manggob” (When Manggob Was Born) series. Gouache on Bristol board, 12 x 12 in. Collection of Mike Luz.
Indonesia:
Gde Sukana Kariana (Indonesian, 1974-), Nativity, 2011. Oil on canvas, 50 x 70 cm.
Nigeria:
Father Kevin Carroll (born Britain, active Nigeria, 1920-1993), Yoruba Nativity, 1948. Oil on canvas, 24 x 36 in.
Ethiopia:
Contemporary Ethiopian nativity icon.
Kenya:
Elimo Njau (born Tanzania, active Kenya, 1932-), Nativity, 1959. Fresco, 12 x 15 ft. St. James’ Anglican Cathedral, Kiharu, Murang’a, Kenya.
Tanzania:
Tanzanian nativity batik.
South Africa:
Azaria Mbatha (South African, 1941-), The Birth of Christ, 1964. Linocut, 30.4 x 54.4 cm. University of Zululand Art Gallery, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa.
(Many of the Asian artworks in this post were found through the Asian Christian Art Association website. It’s a really rich resource. Check it out!)
The Jesus Question 
These nativity paintings and the ones previously shown are delightful to see and thought provoking. Thank you for posting.
Both posts are wonderful! Congratulations! I reblog both and I am a very close follower of your work! Have a Blessed Christmas!
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I admire and enjoy many of these. If I wanted to use one on a bulletin cover, how would I go about finding out about copyright?
I’m glad! I’ve provided source links for all the images, which may help lead you to the copyright owner in some cases. I’d imagine that the Asian Christian Art Association has contact info for most of the Asian artists here, but unfortunately, the organization has been unresponsive to the messages I’ve sent through the contact form on their website. Tracking down permissions will be tricky business for a lot of these, I’m afraid.
Lu Lan’s e-mail address can be found at http://www.angelfire.com/ar2/lulan/ (not sure whether it’s current). Inquiries for the Jackson Beardy image could be sent via http://www.cccb.ca/site/eng/contact-us/digital-print-media-and-information-technologies/267-digital-print-media-and-information/49-isabelle-brochu. Rights for the Yoruba Nativity are administered by the the Society of African Missions African Art Museum, I believe: http://smafathers.org/museum/contact-us/. Good luck!
Thank you.
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Thank you. They are lovely
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Thank you for your posts and Nativity depictions from around His world. Christ is born! Glorify Him!
How do I contact the owner of an image? I would like permission to suggest the image from the Philippines for a flyer (onscreen viewing only) announcing Christmas masses at a church in the U.S. It’s non-profit.
I’m not sure about that one. I sourced it from the Asian Christian Art Association (it was published in the December 2008 issue of their magazine), but they have not been responsive to my emails in the past, so they may no longer be active.
It’s ok, don’t bother replying. I may have located the collector of the painting (sadly he passed away last September). I am confirming this with his daughter. Thank you.
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