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Bezeklik Cave 27: Thousand Buddhas
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Bezeklik Cave 27: Thousand Buddhas
CHINA, Xinjiang, Turpan; circa 13th century
Bezeklik Cave 27 was excavated after the Mongols defeated the Uighurs in ruling over Gaochang in the 13th century. The cave has a rectangular layout and a barrel-vaulted ceiling. These Thousand Buddhas are located on the ceiling.
The Buddhas sit in full lotus position surrounded by round nimbuses and aureoles. They wear monastic robes draped over both shoulders on top of an inner robe. The spaces between the Buddhas are dotted with gem-like designs.
The painting was created during the decline of Buddhism in Gaochang, and the figures were likely made using a standardized process resulting in little variation and a repetitive appearance. |
