The Research On Xiangtangshan Grotto Art

Xiangtangshan Grotto is the highest achievement of statuary art during Northern Qi Dynasty; it is a kind of ancient art achievement. The article based on Buddhist statues, decorative patterns and Buddhism Sutras calligraphy as well as its historical status as research objects, collecting as much as possible pictures and documents of Xiangtangshan Grotto to make a comprehensive analysis.This article will focus on five aspects of research:First, an overview of the Xiangtangshan Grotto Art, making discussions of the Grottoes" shape, internal layout, distributed, and summing up the characteristics and origins of Xiangtangshan Grotto. Second, focus on the research of Buddhism sculptures, discuss and analysis on there periods of Grotto cutting. Northern Qi Dynasty is the beginning period of Xiangtangshan Grotto cutting, the status during that time have a unified form, change rarely. The early statues in Xiangtangshan are the essence of the sculptures, and also are the highest artistic achievement there. Sui Dynasty is the middle stage of Xiangtangshan Grotto which is another rush for sculptures after Buddhism statues destroyed in Northern Zhou Dynasty. Sui Dynasty statues are niches most and take advantage of the grotto inside and outside rock to cut, however the Buddhism statues there have distinctive features and unified style. The Grotto has the largest number of carved statues in Tang Dynasty; most of these niches are single figures or single and relief combined in the same niche. Tang Dynasty statues theme have apparent era feature, which is consistent with the historical period of the Tang Dynasty. Third, study on decorative patterns of the Grotto, and summarize the characteristics of it. Fourth, describe and analysis of Buddhist Sutras and calligraphy art. Fifth, discuss on the historical position of Xiangtangshan Grotto.Xiangtangshan Grotto provides the information in kind for us to study ancient political, cultural, religious, and architectural, it is also the treasure house of ancient sculpture, painting, calligraphy and art.