CHN Museums

Amitayurdhyana Sutra Illustration South Wall of Yulin Cave 25High Tang Dynasty Amitayurdhyana Sutra, one of the principal sutras in Pure Land Buddhism, which was a major theme for Mogao caves from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.).

Amitayurdhyana Sutra Illustration South Wall of Yulin Cave 25High Tang Dynasty Amitayurdhyana Sutra, one of the principal sutras in Pure Land Buddhism, which was a major theme for Mogao caves from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.).

Amitayurdhyana Sutra Illustration South Wall of Mogao Cave 112Mid Tang Dynasty The Amitayurdhyana Sutra had been one of the most popular themes. Normally, a mural based on this sutra would center on the depiction of the Pure Land under the leadership of Amitayus, the...

Amitayurdhyana Sutra Illustration South Wall of Yulin Cave 25High Tang Dynasty Amitayurdhyana Sutra, one of the principal sutras in Pure Land Buddhism, which was a major theme for Mogao caves from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.).

Amitayurdhyana Sutra Illustration South Wall of Mogao Cave 112Mid Tang Dynasty The Amitayurdhyana Sutra had been one of the most popular themes. Normally, a mural based on this sutra would center on the depiction of the Pure Land under the leadership of Amitayus, the...

World Art Gallery-Dunhuang Dunhuang is a city in Northwestern Gansu Province, Western China. Sachu (Dunhuang) was a major stop on the ancient Silk Road and is best known for the nearby Mogao Caves. Mogao Caves, commonly known as Thousand-Buddha Cave, are renowned for its...

Feitian North Slope of Mogao Cave 249Western Wei Dynasty One compelling, and often seemingly otherworldly, being that is depicted in the Buddhist murals throughout the 800 years is the Feitian (in Chinese), or "sky spirit". In Dunhuang art, feitian inhabit their own level of...

Feitian: Apsaras Flying In Front Of Tree West Wall of Mogao Cave 321Early Tang Dynasty One compelling, and often seemingly otherworldly, being that is depicted in the Buddhist murals throughout the 800 years is the Feitian (in Chinese), or "sky spirit". In Dunhuang art,...

Feitian: Apsaras Flying In Front Of Tree West Wall of Mogao Cave 321Early Tang Dynasty One compelling, and often seemingly otherworldly, being that is depicted in the Buddhist murals throughout the 800 years is the Feitian (in Chinese), or "sky spirit". In Dunhuang art,...

Feitian: Musician Apsaras Flying Ceiling of Mogao Cave 329Early Tang Dynasty One compelling, and often seemingly otherworldly, being that is depicted in the Buddhist murals throughout the 800 years is the Feitian (in Chinese), or "sky spirit". In Dunhuang art, feitian inhabit their own...

Guardian Dragon North Wall of Yulin Cave 25Tang Dynasty The guardian dragon sits atop colorful clouds, symbolizing protection and blessings.The Chinese dragon, is a legendary creature in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and Chinese culture at large. Chinese dragons have many animal-like forms such as turtles...

Donor portrait of Lady Wang from Taiyuan in worship South wall of Mogao Cave 130High Tang Dynasty This donor's portrait is labelled as "Lady Wang, wife of a commander, from Taiyuan". Lady Wang was the wife of Le Tinggui, Commander of Jinchang prefecture (in...

Patterns of Grape Lotus Ceiling of Mogao Cave 387Early Tang Dynasty The caisson is a square decoration in the center of the top of the bucket-shaped cave in Dunhuang Grottoes. It is generally composed of three parts: the well center, the outside decoration of...

Patterns of Grape Lotus Ceiling of Mogao Cave 387Early Tang Dynasty The caisson is a square decoration in the center of the top of the bucket-shaped cave in Dunhuang Grottoes. It is generally composed of three parts: the well center, the outside decoration of...

Patterns of Lotus Feitian Ceiling of Mogao Cave 329Early Tang Dynasty The caisson is a square decoration in the center of the top of the bucket-shaped cave in Dunhuang Grottoes. It is generally composed of three parts: the well center, the outside decoration of...

Patterns of Grape Lotus Ceiling of Mogao Cave 387Early Tang Dynasty The caisson is a square decoration in the center of the top of the bucket-shaped cave in Dunhuang Grottoes. It is generally composed of three parts: the well center, the outside decoration of...

Maitreya Sutra Illustration North Wall of Yulin Cave 25High Tang Dynasty The Maitreya Sutra Illustration is based on the "Maitreya's Descent to Becoming a Buddha Sutra". In the middle of the depiction, it shows Maitreya giving teachings under the Dragon Flower Tree after attaining...

The narrative story paintings of the Nine-colored Deer Jataka West Wall of Mogao Cave 257Northern Wei Dynasty On the upper part are images of sixteen heavenly musicians, below them are the thousand Buddhas in the center of which is a preaching scene, and at...

The narrative story paintings of the Nine-colored Deer Jataka West Wall of Mogao Cave 257Northern Wei Dynasty On the upper part are images of sixteen heavenly musicians, below them are the thousand Buddhas in the center of which is a preaching scene, and at...

The narrative story paintings of the Nine-colored Deer Jataka West Wall of Mogao Cave 257Northern Wei Dynasty On the upper part are images of sixteen heavenly musicians, below them are the thousand Buddhas in the center of which is a preaching scene, and at...