Museum of Christian Art in Goa
The Museum of Christian Art, reputed to be the only one of its kind in whole of Asia, is located in the Convent of Santa Monica, Old Goa, in the vicinity of World Heritage Monuments.The Museum which has enriched the cultural heritage and history of Goa is a project of the Archdiocese.It was originally set up with technical and financial assistance from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Portugal and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), New Delhi, and located at the Seminary of Rachol, Salcete, Goa.The Museum of Christian Art symbolizes an effort to showcase the richness of Indo-Portuguese Christian Art from Goa Intended to be a representative collection, every object displayed in the museum, reflects the immense wealth of the Churches of Goa. Collection & Research Sculptures Holy Trinity Holy Trinity Se Cathedral, Old Goa Early 17th Century Marble Dimensions: 55.5 x 42 cms Plaque showing the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit amid dense clouds, symbols of the Passion and angels.God the Father wears a closed crown on his head, and adopts a maternal pose of a Pieta with His Son on his lap and the world under his left foot.The Holy Spirit is shown as a dove on the Father’s shoulder.The Museum of Christian Art symbolizes an effort to showcase the richness of Indo-Portuguese Christian Art from Goa. It highlights a part of Goa’s heritage that is badly neglected and if not preserved, will be lost forever.The Museum of Christian Art showcases the wealth found in the various churches built by the Portuguese in Goa as well as some donations by private families. Intended to be a representative collection, every object displayed in the museum, reflects the immense wealth of the churches of Goa.Asia’s first Museum of Christian Art was initially located at the Seminary of Rachol, Salcette, Goa, where it was inaugurated in 1994.The Museum is now relocated within the Convent of Santa Monica, Old Goa, in the vicinity of world Heritage Monuments.The central theme in the selection of objects for this Museum, apart from their antiquity is the Indian (predominantly Hindu) contribution to Christian Art. It is this that has made the Museum unique.The aim in setting up this Museum is to:Conserve and exhibit valuable objects for public viewing.Create a love for such objects that reveal the rich heritage of our ancestors.Motivate people to treasure such objects in their own Churches and homes.Cooperate in efforts for preservation of objects of Sacred Art.The Museum is a project of the Archdiocese and its administration is under the control of the same. The setting up of this Museum would have not been possible without the technical assistance, guidance and monetary help received from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, New Delhi, and from many other well wishers and workers who dedicated their valuable time and talent to the Museum.