The quill and the brush: Michael Boym’s collaborative translation in the Southern Ming dynasty (1644-1662)

Abstract

This thesis uncovers the contributions of individuals and technologiestradiAonally overlooked in the process of Jesuits’ cross-cultural translation and communication, focusing on the visual works of Michael Boym (ca. 1612–1659). While recent scholarship has increasingly focused on collaboraAons between Jesuits and Chinese literati through textual analysis, the collaborative nature and conditions of production of Jesuits’ visual works remains underexplored. This study fills this gap by examining the materials, tools and techniques used in Boym’s Magni Catay (ca. 1652–1656) and Flora Sinensis (1656). Through an analysis of these visual works, which were created within Boym’s political and religious network—including the Southern Ming court and the Society of Jesus—this thesis highlights the foundational roles of Boym’s collaborators, particularly the Chinese general Zheng Sanxing 鄭三省, Viennese publisher Matthaeus Rickhes, and other unnamed Chinese and European contributors. Their collective efforts and technological means significantly shaped the outcomes of cross-cultural translation and communication, offering new insights into the collaborative processes behind Jesuit visual production. The first three chapters examine Magni Catay, focusing on its illustrations, handwriting, and grids. This analysis reveals a dynamic collaboration between Boym and his associates, challenging the hierarchical authorship typically associated with Jesuit works. The subsequent chapters explore the creation of Flora Sinensis within a European network, emphasising how the shared religious and political interests of Boym and Rickhes influenced the intaglio prints. Furthermore, it investigates how Viennese printmakers and colourists adapted visual models to their personal preferences and technological constraints, demonstrating how these processes impacted visual details and shaped early modern cultural translation. Overall, this study offers a novel synthesis of Boym’s manuscripts and prints, underscoring the crucial roles of marginalised figures in early modern cultural exchange. By focusing on materials, tools, and technology, it provides fresh insights into cross-cultural translaAon and deepens our understanding of Southern Ming history