Nathaniel, Guide Serena, and DianeWe were not allowed to take photos in the caves.
The sculpture and paintings in the caves are bright with radiance. They reminded me of the resplendent tombs that I visited in Upper Egypt when I was researching the story of Isis and Osiris. They were filled with the texts of the gods, describing the journeys to rebirth. All sides, even the ceiling. Devotion to the deities.
I brought with me the book Cave Temples of Mogao, Art and History on the Silk Road published by the Getty Conservation Institute and the J.P. Getty Museum with wonderful photos taken by Lois Conner.
It was a wonderful preparation for what we would see; and yet, the three dimensional experience of art in every direction and surface, can only be experienced. Still, just to share with you the richness, beauty and imagination of the Buddhist artists, here are two photos from the book. You can buy the book on Amazon and visit Lois Conner's website.
The sculpture and paintings in the caves are bright with radiance. They reminded me of the resplendent tombs that I visited in Upper Egypt when I was researching the story of Isis and Osiris. They were filled with the texts of the gods, describing the journeys to rebirth. All sides, even the ceiling. Devotion to the deities.
I brought with me the book Cave Temples of Mogao, Art and History on the Silk Road published by the Getty Conservation Institute and the J.P. Getty Museum with wonderful photos taken by Lois Conner.
It was a wonderful preparation for what we would see; and yet, the three dimensional experience of art in every direction and surface, can only be experienced. Still, just to share with you the richness, beauty and imagination of the Buddhist artists, here are two photos from the book. You can buy the book on Amazon and visit Lois Conner's website.
In this Jataka story, a beautiful 9-colored deer saves a man from drowning in the Ganges River. The man offers to become the deer's servant but the deer says, "I don't need a servant. Just promise me you'll tell no one where I live."When the Queen offers a reward for anyone who can bring her the skin from a 9-colored deer that she has seen in her dream, the man reveals the deer's location to the King. When the King and his entourage find the deer sleeping and the deer tells them the truth, the King is so moved by the deer that he makes a decree that no deer hunting will be permitted in his kingdom. The man who broke his promise dies of leprosy.
Cave 257 Northern Wei.
Photos by Lois Conner and Wu Jian
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