Mogao Grottoes

Mogao Grottoes

Most of Dunhuang’s art dates from the Northern and Western Wei, Noerthern Zhou, Sui and Tang dynasties, although examples from the Five Dynasties, Northern Song, Western Xia and Yuan can also be found. The Northern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Zhou and Tang caves are in the best state of preservation.

The caves are generally rectangular or square with recessed, decorated ceilings. The focal point of each is a group of brightly painted statues representing Buddha and the Bodhisattvas.

The smaller statues are composed of terracotta coated with a kind of plaster surface so that intricate details could be etched into the surface.

The walls and ceilings were plastered with layers of cement and clay and then painted with watercolour. Large sections of the murals are made up of decorative patterns using motifs from nature, architecture or textiles. Many of the caves have been touched up at one time or another.