Inspection of Mogao Cave 156

CHINA

General Zhang Yichao led a revolt that overthrew Tibetan rule in Shazhou (present day Dunhuang) in the year 848. Three years later, the Tang government appointed him as the governor of the region. Zhang and his wife are shown in some of the murals in Mogao Cave 156, which is now sometimes known as the “Zhang Yichao Cave.” In this imaginative painting by Pan Jiezi, Zhang is shown inspecting Cave 156 before its completion during Late Tang period (846–907).
Artists are shown putting the final touches on the images within the cave. They crouch down to paint the figures at the bottom of the wall, or stand upon wooden scaffolding to complete an image of a palace near the ceiling. The murals, based on the actual images in Cave 156, are depicted in meticulous detail. In the lower left corner, Zhang wears a red robe, and appears to squint as he looks up at the murals. His wife wears a flowing silk dress and also looks upwards. An artist stands in the middle of the bottom register, turning to the left to speak with Zhang. This creative, colorful, and highly detailed painting is an outstanding example of modern Buddhist art.