Dunhuang Grottoes Collection. 3, The Scroll Paintings of the Jataka Stories

Author: Dunhuang Academy of Arts and History / Edited by Li Yongning
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-12-01
Features: The Dunhuang Grottoes are the world's most magnificent, richest in content, longest-lasting, and best-preserved treasury of Buddhist art. The rich cultural and artistic themes within the grottoes reflect the broad social landscape of the medieval era, earning them the title of "the visual encyclopedia of ancient China." Currently designated as a key cultural relic protection unit under the state and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Publishing a comprehensive and systematic collection titled The Complete Collection of Dunhuang Art has been the aspiration and relentless pursuit of generations of scholars. While numerous publications on Dunhuang themes have existed in the past, it is essential to adopt new research methodologies to break through existing achievements and showcase new findings, thereby fully demonstrating the significant value of Dunhuang art. This Complete Collection presents the essence of Dunhuang art through 25 thematic sections under three major categories—Buddhism, Art, and Society—allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of the Buddhist, artistic, and social dimensions reflected in the murals and sculptures of Dunhuang while savoring its artistic beauty. The Complete Collection of Dunhuang Grottoes has been included in the key publishing project of the National Cultural Relics Administration and will be published in batches by Shanghai People's Publishing House between 2000 and 2004. The first three volumes to be released are Volume 7, The Lotus Sutra Scroll, Volume 12, The Stories of Buddhism's Eastern Transmission Scroll, and Volume 19, The Animal Scroll. This series is jointly organized and written by the Dunhuang Academy of Arts and History, renowned domestic Dunhuang scholars (such as Duan Wenjie and Fan Jinshi), and art experts. It is designed and arranged by the celebrated designer Lü Jingren, giving the series an authority and aesthetic appeal unmatched by other comparable works. Each volume features meticulously selected paper, with the images captured and printed in a graceful and vivid manner. The colors are vibrant, the brushwork is flawless, yet the ink tones are subtly expressive, with the shapes and artistic scenes appearing almost lifelike!