Mural painting is like an
inexhaustible encyclopedia, and Shanxi Province boasts the most abundant mural paintings
in China, second only to the Dunhuang Mural in Gansu Province. Shanxi has mural paintings
that could date back to the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). The following dynasties from the
Northern Dynasty (220-580) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) also witnessed the style's
development. The styles of Shanxi murals in different phases not only embody the painting
characteristics of various periods, but also have a certain value for artistic, social and
religious research.
Development of Shanxi Mural
Most of the Han murals were painted on the walls of tombs,
and deal with the prevailing custom of filial piety and buryialwith full honors, which the
ruling class eagerly promoted. Many aristocrats’ graves are of considerable size,
reflecting the political, economic and institutional systems that time. The Pinglu mural
in Shanxi is representative of Han murals.
The Northern Dynasty preserved the custom of tomb mural
painting. With the development of communications and the rise of Buddhism, the themes of
the mural paintings at this time were more or less related to Buddhism. The artist of the
Lourui Tomb in Shanxi was also affected in this way.
The Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) had the vastest territory in
Chinese history. Known as the "belly" of the Yuan Dynasty, Shanxi has a number
of exquisite Yuan temple murals of about 1800 m2. Murals of Yongle Palace in
Ruicheng City, Shanxi Province, are the essence of Yuan temple murals.
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Shanxi Mural in Ming
Dynasty
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In the days after the Ming Dynasty, mural paintings were
rarely recorded in books. Temple murals had already come to an end. However, Shanxi murals
still preserve some excellent works, such as Jiyi Temple in Xinjiang County and Goddess
Temple in Fenyang County.
Varieties of Shanxi Mural
Tomb mural: Shanxi has retained tomb
murals from three different periods: Han, Northern and Yuan Dynasties. The tomb murals of
Pinglu in Zaoyuan Village are an important representative of the Eastern Han dynasty tomb
murals. The Lou Rui Tomb is a tomb of the Northern Dynasty, whose accurate-composed murals
are of vivid image, beautiful color and smooth lines, which show the complicated art
technique of that time. The mural paintings in Zhang Daozhen Tomb are completely different
from the others of previous years. The master of this Yuan tomb was a Taoist, so the
murals are a reflection of his life, taste and preferences.
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Tomb Mural in Lou Rui Tomb
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Temple mural: Among the existing murals
in Shanxi, there are the most temple murals. Fo Guang Temple in Wutai Mountain has the
only temple mural of the Tang Dynasty. Although with some image defects due to its old
age, the superb artistic technique and well-preserved condition still make it a top grade
Chinese ancient temple mural.
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Temple Mural
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Grotto mural: The Yungang Grottoes in
Datong Shanxi have a lot of mural relics. They are regarded as “Precious Grotto,” with
the other three famous grottoes: Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang,
and Maiji Mountain Grottoes in Tianshui, Ganshui. They are also Chinese mural museums.
Themes of Shanxi Mural
Religion: Religion is an important topic
for the whole of Chinese mural, and Shanxi mural is no exception. The period of Emperor
Hanwu (140-86 BC) saw the beginning of Taoist murals, while the Eastern Han witnessed the
rise of Buddhist mural. The mural in Yongle Palace is a classic example of Taoist murals.
Legends and historical figures: Legends
and historical figures were the theme of temple murals during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
The Jiyi Temple of the Ming Dynasty is a typical example. It mainly focuses on the legends
of ancient time, such as the performances of legend heroes Dayu, Houji and Boyi.
Secular life: Secular life is also an
important element. Tomb murals mainly reflect the life scene of the master, such as
banquet or travel. Representative works include murals in Lou Rui’s tomb. Lou Rui, one
of empress’s nephew, was a high official in the Northern Dynasty. His tomb is huge.
Travel Plan is the largest mural there; it describes a scene of an extravagant travel,
with bound dogs, knights and camels.
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Travel Plan in Lou Rui Tomb
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Mural Paintings in Yongle
Palace
The Yongle Palace, located in Yongle County of Shanxi
Province, was one of the three great ancestral palaces of Quanzhen Taoism in the Yuan
Dynasty. The murals in Longhu Hall, Sanqing Hall, Chunyang Hall and Chongyang Hall
together cover over 430m2 and are considered gems of world art. With religion as their
main subject, these ancient murals are of utmost importance in Chinese painting. The
Yongle Palace murals are therefore highly regarded in art history.
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Shanxi Mural
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Sanqing Hall
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Mural in Sanqing Hall
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The murals in Yongle Palace are the peak in development of
mural painting, preserving traditions of previous generations. They also introduced
innovations in certain areas, forming their own characteristics over time. Combining a
romantic style, elaborate strokes and magnificent scenes, the murals in Yongle Palace
enriched Chinese mural painting and experiences in certain way, and affected the religious
mural creating in the future generations.
Great Significance
Ancient murals are a valuable treasure of Chinese
historical and cultural heritage, with great historical significance and research value in
society, religion, architecture, and art, Shanxi murals are extraordinarily abundant, from
the tomb murals of the Han Dynasty to temple murals of the Ming and Qing Dynasties,
constituting a complete sequence. Combining historical, religious and secular themes
expressed in an artistic way, Shanxi mural paintings are of great significance in
archaeology, religion, and the history of Chinese painting.
By: Ding Yujie
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