( 유화 ) Christ Church in Malacca, Malaysia

Christ Church Malacca, 23 x 31 cm, Oil on canvas board, 2024
 
추석도 지났는데 왜 이리 날이 더운지..무료한 오후 책을 읽을까 그림을 그릴까 하다가
현역 시절 말레이시아에서 근무할 때 가장 중요한 거래처가 있어서 말라카를 
자주 방문했었고 또 한국에서 손님들이 오면 모시고 갔었던 장소에 위치한
Christ Church를 유화로 그려본다.
제국주의 식민지 지배의 역사로 점철된 말레이시아를 한눈에 알 수 있는 상징성이
있는 도시로 여러 식민지 유물들을 볼 수 있는 역사적으로 의미있는 장소이다.
 
당시에는 아무 생각없이 그냥 지나쳤는데 이번에 그림을 그리면서 문득 왜 교회 건물을
붉은색으로 칠했을까 궁금하여 구글 AI Gemini로 찾아본다.
Chat GPT4 는 어떻게 설명하는가 보니 달리 설명하고 있는데 어느쪽이 맞는
이야기인지 궁금해 Wikipedia에 찾아보니 Gemini 가 하는 얘기가 맞다.
아마도 말레이시아 사람들도 그 이유를 잘 모를 것 같다는 생각도 해보면서..
겸사겸사 이 교회의 역사까지..그림 그리면서 덕분에 역사 공부도 덤으로 한다 ㅎㅎ
( 번역은 구글, 원문은 맨 뒤에 )

Christ Church, Malacca의 간략한 역사

Christ Church는 말레이시아, 말라카에 위치한 역사적인 네덜란드 개혁 교회입니다. 

1641년부터 1795년까지 네덜란드가 말라카를 점령하는 동안 지어졌기 때문에 

이 도시의 풍부한 식민지 과거를 증명합니다.

네덜란드 식민지 시대
건축: 이 교회는 18세기 초, 아마도 1753년경에 지어졌습니다. 이 건축물은 단순하고 

기능적인 디자인과 눈에 띄는 첨탑이 있는 네덜란드 식민지 스타일을 반영합니다.
종교적 중요성: 말라카의 네덜란드 공동체를 위한 주요 예배 장소로서 

Christ Church는 식민지의 종교 및 사회 생활에서 중요한 역할을 했습니다.
네덜란드의 영향: 스테인드 글라스 창문과 붉은색을 포함한 교회의 내부 및 외부 장식은 

네덜란드의 예술적, 문화적 영향을 나타냅니다.
영국 식민지 시대
영국 점령: 1795년, 영국은 네덜란드로부터 말라카를 점령했습니다. 

식민지 권력의 변화에도 불구하고 Christ Church는 예배 장소로 계속 사용되었지만 

성공회 공동체의 필요에 맞게 조정되었습니다.
복원: 수년에 걸쳐 교회는 구조와 외관을 유지하기 위해 다양한 개조와 수리를 거쳤습니다.
현대
관광 명소: 오늘날 Christ Church는 말라카에서 인기 있는 관광지입니다. 

방문객은 교회 내부를 탐험하고, 역사적인 건축물을 감상하고, 도시 역사에서 

그 중요성에 대해 알아볼 수 있습니다.
문화 유산: 이 교회는 중요한 문화 유산으로 간주되며 식민지 과거를 반영하기 위해 

보존되었습니다.
결론적으로, 말라카의 Christ Church는 도시의 네덜란드 식민지 유산을 엿볼 수 있는 

역사적 랜드마크입니다. 건축, 역사, 문화적 중요성으로 인해 관광객과 역사 애호가 모두에게 

꼭 방문해야 할 명소입니다.

 

말라카의 Christ Church의 붉은색은 영국이 식민지 통치를 하던 당시 내린 결정의 결과입니다.

원래 교회는 흰색으로 칠해졌습니다. 그러나 1911년 영국은 교회와 인근 Stadthuys 건물을 

모두 생생한 붉은색으로 다시 칠하기로 결정했습니다. 

이 색상 변화가 발생한 이유에 대한 몇 가지 이론이 있습니다.

실용성: 일부에서는 붉은색이 지역 주민들에게 인기 있는 빈랑 주스 얼룩을 가리기 위해 

선택되었다고 제안합니다. 밝은 붉은색은 침으로 인한 적갈색 자국을 가리는 데 도움이 됩니다.
미적 매력: 또 다른 이론은 붉은색이 단순히 시각적으로 더 매력적이거나 눈에 띄는 것으로 

여겨졌다는 것입니다. 특히 주변 녹지와 대조될 때 더욱 그렇습니다.
문화적 중요성: 색상 선택이 문화적 요인이나 지역 전통의 영향을 받았을 가능성도 있지만 

구체적인 세부 사항은 불분명합니다.
정확한 이유와 관계없이 붉은색 페인트는 Christ Church의 독특한 특징이 되었고

지금은 말라카의 네덜란드 식민지 건축과 동의어가 되었습니다.

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Chat GPT4 는 이렇게 달리 얘기하고 있다. 아주 능청스럽게 거짓말을 ㅠㅠ
 
말레이시아 말라카의 크라이스트 처치는 건축 양식의 중요한 특징인 뚜렷한 붉은색으로 
칠해져 있습니다. 종종 "네덜란드 레드"라고 불리는 이 색상은 네덜란드가 말라카를 통치하던 
시기에 지어진 교회이기 때문에 이 지역에 네덜란드 식민지주의가 끼친 영향을 반영합니다.

붉은색은 그리스도의 피와 네덜란드의 역사적 존재를 상징합니다. 1753년에 완공된 이 교회는 
말레이시아에서 가장 오래된 개신교 교회 중 하나이며 말라카 역사 지구의 눈에 띄는 
랜드마크로 돋보입니다. 색상 선택은 미적 매력과 역사적 중요성에 기여하여 지역 주민과 방문객 
모두에게 중요한 장소입니다.

A Brief History of Christ Church, Malacca

Christ Church is a historic Dutch Reformed church located in Malacca, Malaysia. It stands as a testament to the city's rich colonial past, having been built during the Dutch occupation of Malacca from 1641 to 1795.

Dutch Colonial Era

• Construction: The church was built in the early 18th century, likely around 1753. Its architecture reflects the Dutch colonial style, with a simple, functional design and a prominent steeple.
• Religious Significance: As the primary place of worship for the Dutch community in Malacca, Christ Church played a crucial role in the religious and social life of the colony.
• Dutch Influence: The church's interior and exterior decorations, including the stained glass windows and the red color, are indicative of Dutch artistic and cultural influences.

British Colonial Period

• British Occupation: In 1795, the British captured Malacca from the Dutch. Despite the change in colonial power, Christ Church continued to be used as a place of worship, though it was adapted to suit the needs of the Anglican community.
• Restoration: Over the years, the church underwent various renovations and repairs to maintain its structure and appearance.

Modern Day

• Tourism Attraction: Today, Christ Church is a popular tourist destination in Malacca. Visitors can explore the church's interior, admire its historical architecture, and learn about its significance in the city's history.
• Cultural Heritage: The church is considered an important cultural heritage site and has been preserved to reflect its colonial past.

In conclusion, Christ Church, Malacca, is a historical landmark that offers a glimpse into the city's Dutch colonial heritage. Its architecture, history, and cultural significance make it a must-visit attraction for tourists and history enthusiasts alike.

 

 

The red color on Christ Church in Malacca is a result of a decision made by the British during their colonial rule.

Originally, the church was painted white. However, in 1911, the British decided to repaint both the church and the neighboring Stadthuys building in a vibrant red. There are a few theories as to why this color change occurred:  

 

1. Practicality: Some suggest that the red color was chosen to disguise the stains of betel nut juice, which was popular among the local population. The bright red color would help to mask the reddish-brown marks left by the spit.
2. Aesthetic appeal: Another theory is that the red color was simply deemed more visually appealing or striking, especially when contrasted with the surrounding greenery.
3. Cultural significance: It's also possible that the color choice was influenced by cultural factors or local traditions, though specific details are unclear.

Regardless of the exact reason, the red paint has become a distinctive feature of Christ Church and is now synonymous with the Dutch colonial architecture of Malacca.

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from Chat GPT4 

 

 

The Christ Church in Malacca, Malaysia, is painted in a distinct shade of red, which is a significant characteristic of its architectural style. This color, often referred to as "Dutch Red," reflects the influence of Dutch colonialism in the region, as the church was built during the time when the Dutch controlled Malacca.

The red color symbolizes both the blood of Christ and the historical presence of the Dutch. The church, completed in 1753, is one of the oldest Protestant churches in Malaysia and stands out as a prominent landmark in Malacca's historical district. The choice of color contributes to its aesthetic appeal and historical significance, making it an important site for both locals and visitors.