The Shizhongshan Grottoes
Appreciation of Ming Wood Carvings
Dazu Rock Carvings
Six Steeds of the Zhaoling Mausoleum |
Located 25 kilometers southwest of Jianchuan County of Yunnan Province, the Shizhongshan Grottoes are one of the most representative grottoes in south China. So far, a total of 16 caves and 139 sculptural images have been found. According to research, the building time of grottoes spanned 300 years or more. There are works made in both the Nanzhao Dynasty and in the Kingdom of Dali. A wide range of subject matters are featured in the Shizhongshan Grottoes, including Buddhist figures, political life of the Nanzhao Dynasty, religious beliefs of the Kingdom of Dali and images of people from other countries in Asia. The artistic representation of the stone carvings is extremely creative. Under the precondition of not going against religious doctrines, the ancient sculptors tried everything to create the human-based images to artistic perfection, so as to present vividness via images and to influence all people in the mortal world. Bearing distinctive national characteristics and artistic vitality, the lifelike sculptures are not only treasures of Chinese stone carving art, but also the invaluable wealth of the Buddhist art. |
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