A Study On The Color Of Dunhuang Cave's Murals

Heavy-color painting is an important component of traditional Chinese painting, a large, precious, and unique collection of which is to be found in the present Dunhuang caves that preserve many works of art from different dynasties. A comprehensive and thorough study of the murals in this style will prove to be of great value to understanding and appreciation of traditional heavy-color paintings as well as for recreation of heavy-color paintings in modern caves. The creation of modern caves with murals caves is an original approach to studying Dunhuang murals as well as a new method to preserve and develop valuable traditions in heavy-color painting.The present thesis carries out thorough studies in the preparation of the cave' s wall, the selection of glue and pigments, and makes in-depth analyses in the color scheme of the Dunhuang murals in light of modern color theories to benefit the murals painting in modern caves.The thesis consists of two parts.Part one uses recent findings and researches on Dunhuang' s murals for a better understanding of the relation between wall, glue, and pigments. The chemical properties of the pigments, especially those that have changed color or faded out from the Dunhuang caves are then discussed. This is of utmost importance in choosing the right pigments for modern murals to have stable and lasting colors.Part two makes full use of modern color theories to shed light on the patterns, laws and skills used in the present color scheme of the Dunhuang' s murals. This part then moves on to a discussion of how traditions of heavy-color paintings on the murals and modern color schemes can be integrated in modern caves.