National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
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Wall Paintings from Ancient Shrines in Central Asia : vol.1 |
pigment was used. Extensive abrasion and scaling have destroyed much of the
colour and have exposed the gypsum priming.
Above, to the left, is the lower part of a padmásana, and on the right can be seen
the carelessly drawn bare feet of a figure standing on rocks. Drifting clouds separ-
ate p
ate these upper subjects from the processional scene below.
The general character of composition, drawing, and colour closely resembles
that of Bez. x. K—O, plate xxiv. There is, too, the same obvious enjoyment in
the portrayal of the grotesque demons, and similar treatment of the animated
drapery of the richly clothed figures; the same restlessness and overcrowding of
the picture. It is probable that one artist is responsible for both pictures and that he
was a Chinese.
Bez. x.N,O
This is a part of the picture Bez. x. K—O, plate xxiv, and has been described in
the note on that plate. This enlargement brings out more clearly some of the
interesting features. The artist in the black skull-cap is seen much better here and
particularly the delicate pose of the sensitive right hand. It may be of interest to
students of Chinese calligraphy to note that the manner of holding the brush by
this artist for picture painting is not that usually adopted by Chinese scribes for
writing. On the head of the bearded Nága, the serpent with open mouth and forked
tongue is also perfectly clear. For further description the previous note on this
picture may be consulted.
Bez. x. D—F, I, J
These come from the west side of the plinth standing near the south end of the
cella. Two groups, each of four worshipping figures, are seated on lotuses right
and left of a stream or lake contained between eroded banks, water-worn into a
succession of irregular points or tongues conventionally divided or contoured by
bands of yellow, outlined with black, running inland, a manner of expressing
grassy downland usual in these Central Asian paintings. In the centre of the stream,
near the foreground, is an island, and in front of this, on a grassy knoll, stands a
p
pe
large pear-shaped object resembling the traditional oil jar, but perhaps a jewel.
A similar `jewel' stands on each bank with a willow tree growing beside it. Farther in the distance are other trees and some conical mounds, perhaps represent-
ing mountains. One such mound stands on the left bank, in the foreground.
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