A Restorative Study of Chang’an Sculptures of the Early Tang Dynasty: Reception of Guptan Influence in Tang Buddhist Art

• In Event: Panel 2: Reception of Indian Influences in Tang Buddhist Art

Abstract

Until now the murals of Dunhuang Mogao Cave 220 have been identified as being influenced by the paintings of the Central Plains, but in fact in the images of Buddha depicted in the murals indicate the influence of the Gupta art style. Similarly, we can find traces of Guptan influence in the significant number of the so-called “Udayana Buddha” images made during the latter half of the seventh century around Luoyang, not only in the backrest for the statues but also in the style of the Buddha figures. These elements are all now believed to possibly be characteristics of Chang’an sculptures that were distributed elsewhere, and it is important to recognize the deep influence of the Gupta style in the sculptures from Chang’an.
Since there are only a limited number of extant Chang’an statues dating to the seventh century, a thorough investigation of their features and changes is difficult. However, it is crucial that we make a restorative investigation of Chang’an sculptures from works of other areas such as Dunhuang and Luoyang as they may provide clues to understanding this Chang’an metropolitan style. In addition, in this presentation I will examine examples from Silla, Japan, and Sichuan as the Buddhist art of these bordering regions was also influenced by the style of Chang’an sculptures. In this larger context, I will re-examine the reception of Indian influence in Chang’an sculptures.

Author

• Yutaka Fujioka, Osaka University