Dunhuang, China Cave Wall Paintings by Wei-hsiang Shih. printed on rice paper

Tunhuang Murals from Thousand Buddha Caves Mogao Grottos in Gansu, North-west China.

This print, on fine paper, looks like modern watercolour artwork although the depicted cave painting was done thousands of years ago.  Dunhuang was established as a frontier garrison outpost by the Han Dynasty Emperor Wudi, to protect against the  Xiongnu in 111BCE. An oasis, strategically located at a regilious and cultural crossroad on the Silk Road, the Thousand-Buddha Caves are now world-famous as a storehouse of cultural and art treasures, in 492 marvellously decorated 'temples' that cover more than 1,600 metres, and contain 45,000 square metres of murals that, if placed side by side, would extend for 25 kilometres. The largest mural is 40 metres long and 30 metres wide. The smallest is less than a square metre. Dunhuang Murals were the subject of an art exhibition at the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music in 2021, to mark the 100the anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

This striking print of Chinese farmers is printed on fine rice paper that is slightly creased around the outside of the image. This does not detract from appreciation of the subject. For protection it has been mounted between antique white high-quality conservation ragmat and covered with cellophane.

To border measures 235 x 300mm (9.25 x 11.75 inches). External mount measure 440 x 500mm (17.25 x 19.5 inches).