Guo Fa

CHINA; Northern Song dynasty

Guo Fa was a painter who, according to the inscriptions on a stele recording the restoration of Kaihua Temple in Shanxi, assisted in the creation of the well-known murals of the Great Hero Hall. The murals, covering the back (north), east, and west interior walls of the hall, illustrate a variety of scenes and Buddhist motifs including the Illustration of Avatamsaka Sutra, Sakyamuni Buddha Assembly, Illustration of the Returning Favors Sutra, Alambusa Jataka, and the Dharma Service of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Enlightenment. Inscriptions on the back wall state the dates in which the murals were commenced and completed in addition to mentioning Guo’s name. This sort of inscription is considered extremely rare for ancient Chinese murals and is thus considered a valuable piece of documentation in Buddhist art history.
Guo’s mural compositions were detailed and delicate; brushstrokes were refined, smooth, and strong; his color choices were classical and elegant. He was an adept folk painter who was skilled in incorporating the scenes of daily life into Buddhist stories. His depictions, whether landscape, architecture, or figures, were drawn in precise proportion. His murals in particular were highly regarded as masterpieces of the Song dynasty (960–1279).