Yungang Grottoes: Cave 1 (Datong, China) : Cave 1 Interior; large square central pillar carved in the shape of a wooden pagoda
- Creator:
- unknown, (Chinese)
- Published/Created:
- 16 km west of Datong, Yungang Grottoes, Datong, Shanxi, China
ca. 494-525 - Date Depicted:
- 2009
8000 BC - 499 AD - Materials:
- polychrome (mineral pigment paint)
sandstone - Notes:
- The Yungang Grottoes are located 16 km west of Datong and comprise about 53 caves and 51,000 statues. The site stretches about 1 kilometer from east to west and was hollowed from the sandstone cliffs of the Wuzhou Mountains during the 5th century CE under the patronage of the Northern Wei dynasty. Founded by the Tuoba or Toba people, who ruled northern China during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period (310-589 CE), the Wei dynasty adopted Buddhism as its state religion. Work was begun at Yungang by the emperor Wenchengdi (reigned 452-465). The caves range in width from 23 m to a few metres. In 494, the Wei moved their capital from Datong to Luoyang and the Yungang Grottoes slowly fell into decay. The Grottoes have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001. Caves 7-12, which seem to be grouped in pairs, show a more regular plan than the Tanyao Caves. Rectangular, they are divided into front and rear chapels. The main image is accompanied by representations of bodhisattvas, triads of the Buddha, flying apsarasas (heavenly beings), heavenly musicians, jātakas (stories from the life of the historical Buddha) and ornamental reliefs covering the walls, ceilings and entrance. Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/
- Variant Titles:
- 云冈石窟
- Topics:
- Sculpture -- China -- 5th century -- (YVRC)
- Period/Style:
- Northern Wei
- Culture:
- Chinese
- Accession Number:
- 1A2-CH-D-YG-1-A2
- Genre:
- sculpture (AAT)
- Format:
- Image
- Content Type:
- Sculptures, Models, & Architecture
- Rights:
- Copyright Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement. - Access Restrictions:
- Yale Community Only
- Digital:
- architecture; decorative arts; deities; Buddhism and art--China; Silk Road; Buddhist cave art built works; religious structures; shrines (structures); visual works; paintings (visual works); mural paintings (visual works); visual works; sculpture (visual
- Source Creator:
- Gilchrist, Scott
- Source Title:
- Archivision Addition Module Six
- Source Created:
- 2878 Chamonix, Montreal QC
Archivision, Inc.
2009 - Source Note:
- Purchase, Visual Resources Collection, May, 2011; photographer Scott Gilchrist
- Yale Collection:
- Visual Resources Collection
- Digital Collection:
- Visual Resources Collection
- Local Record Number:
- 4125
- OID:
- 10076937
- PID:
- digcoll:1796786