Duofu Temple Great Hero Hall: Life of the Buddha

CHINA, Shanxi, Taiyuan; Ming dynasty

Duofu Temple is located on the summit of Jueweishan, 24 km northwest of Taiyuan. The Great Hero Hall was built in 1456 during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Murals on the east, west, and north walls, covering a total area of 90.93 sq m, were completed in 1458. Together with the murals at Jueyuan Temple in Sichuan, China, these well-preserved murals serve as references in the study of Ming dynasty illustrations depicting the Life of the Buddha.
There are 84 scenes within the murals, each illustrating a story from the Life of the Buddha. Trees, stones, and buildings separate the scenes, which are arranged in two rows, starting on the right side of the east wall and ending on the left side of the west wall. There is a cartouche in the upper right corner of each scene, numbering and naming them.
The figures in the murals vary in size based on their importance. They are dressed in elegant Ming dynasty clothing. The buildings and natural landscapes are skillfully painted and arranged to give the scenes depth. The mural is predominantly colored with shades of mineral blue and green, supplemented with yellow, brown, red, and white.