Tianlongshan Grottoes

Manshan Pavillion (漫山阁) of the Tianlongshan Grottoes

The Tianlongshan Grottoes (Chinese: 天龙山石窟, pinyin: Tiānlóngshān Shíkū, English translation: Mountain of the Heavenly Dragon) are caves located in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China, that are notable for the Buddhist temples located within them. The temple complex spans two mountains: there are eight grottoes on the eastern mountain and 13 on the western mountain. The complex was constructed over a number of centuries, from the northern Qi dynasty until the Tang dynasty, and contains Buddhist art of high historic importance. The majority of the caves date to the Tang dynasty.[1] The caves have been designated by the government as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Artwork

A number of works of Buddhist sculpture survived in the caves, including over 1,500 statues and 1,144 reliefs sculptures.[1] Many of the sculptures are of painted stone.[2] The subject matter includes images of Buddha and bodhisattvas. The caves' Tang sculptures are noted for their soft modeling, sensuous drapery, and naturalism.[3] A connection to the Gandhara style of Buddhist sculpture has been proposed.[2]

Removal of the sculptures

In the 1920s, a number of the sculptures were removed and sold to collectors abroad.[3] In particular, the publication by Japanese art dealer Yamanaka Sadajirō of a book on the caves' contents led to a sharp increase in collector interest.[4] For this reason, many sculptures originating from Tianlongshan are currently housed in foreign museums.[2]

Gallery

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Tianlongshan Grottoes, Taiyuan". Your Gateway Travel to Beijing, China. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Tianlong Shan Cave Temples, Shanxi, China". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  3. 1 2 Falco, Angela (2006). Chinese Sculpture. Yale University Press. p. 309. ISBN 0300100655.
  4. ↑ Rösch, Petra (2007). Chinese Wood Sculptures of the 11th to 13th centuries: Images of Water-moon Guanyin in Northern Chinese Temples and Western Collections. New York City: Columbia University Press. p. 210. ISBN 383825662X.

Coordinates: 37°44′15″N 112°23′09″E / 37.7376°N 112.3857°E / 37.7376; 112.3857

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