Portraits in the Mirror: The Sculpted Art of the Virgin Mary and the Bodhisattva Guanyin

Between the 16th century and the mid-20th century, the routes of Asia not only transported goods but also sacred icons. The M128 – Missions Étrangères de Paris presents a selection of rarely shown works, drawn from private collections and the Irfa archives. This encounter between the Christian figure of Mary and the Buddhist deity Guanyin reveals unsettling similarities and fascinating aesthetic metamorphoses. These sculptures testify to an artistic dialogue where features blend and symbols intertwine over the centuries. The event sheds light on how these images circulated and adapted to local cultures, from the modern era to the dawn of the contemporary world. To be seen from February 13 to April 25, 2026, this visual confrontation offers a unique perspective on the spiritual exchanges between the Orient and the Occident.