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dc.coverage.spatialSite: Yungang Grottoes (Datong, Shanxi, China)en_US
dc.coverage.temporalca. 460-475 (creation)en_US
dc.creatorunknown (Chinese)en_US
dc.date460-475en_US
dc.date.accessioned2013-08-07T19:24:01Z
dc.date.available2013-08-07T19:24:01Z
dc.date.issued460-475en_US
dc.identifier229708en_US
dc.identifier.otherarchrefid: 2366en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1721.3/137506
dc.descriptionUpper niche of the east wall, triad of the Buddha, detail; The Yungang Grottoes are located 16 km west of Datong and comprise about 53 caves and 51,000 statues. The site stretches about 1 kilometer from east to west and was hollowed from the sandstone cliffs of the Wuzhou Mountains during the 5th century CE under the patronage of the Northern Wei dynasty. Founded by the Tuoba or Toba people, who ruled northern China during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period (310-589 CE), the Wei dynasty adopted Buddhism as its state religion. Work was begun at Yungang by the emperor Wenchengdi (reigned 452-465). The caves range in width from 23 m to a few metres. In 494, the Wei moved their capital from Datong to Luoyang and the Yungang Grottoes slowly fell into decay. The Grottoes have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001. Caves 7-12, which seem to be grouped in pairs, show a more regular plan than the Tanyao Caves. Rectangular, they are divided into front and rear chapels. The main image is accompanied by representations of bodhisattvas, triads of the Buddha, flying apsarasas (heavenly beings), heavenly musicians, jātakas (stories from the life of the historical Buddha) and ornamental reliefs covering the walls, ceilings and entrance. Cave 12 is known as the "Musical Cave" for its depiction of musicians and musical instruments. Caves 11, 12, and probably 13 were constructed under the supervision and support of the imperial court. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 5/9/2011)en_US
dc.format.mediumsandstone; polychrome (mineral pigment paint)en_US
dc.rights© Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc.en_US
dc.subjectarchitectureen_US
dc.subjectdecorative artsen_US
dc.subjectdeitiesen_US
dc.subjectmusicen_US
dc.subjectBuddhism and art--Chinaen_US
dc.subjectSilk Roaden_US
dc.subjectBuddhist cave arten_US
dc.subjectChineseen_US
dc.subjectNorthern Weien_US
dc.titleYungang Grottoes: Cave 12en_US
dc.title.alternative云冈石窟en_US
dc.typeimageen_US
dc.rights.accessLicensed for educational and research use by the MIT community onlyen_US
dc.identifier.vendorcode1A2-CH-D-YG-12-A43en_US
vra.culturalContextChineseen_US
vra.techniquecarving (processes), painting and painting techniquesen_US
vra.worktypesculpture (visual work)en_US
vra.worktyperelief (sculpture)en_US
vra.worktypeshrine (structure)en_US
dc.contributor.displayunknown (Chinese)en_US


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