The Influence of the Mogao Cave Paintings on the Greek Revival Architectural Design Style

Abstract

This research aims at analyzing the effects that the Murals of Mogao Caves had on the concept of the Greek Revival style of architecture- a fusion of the eastern and the western art. In its attempts to provide an answer to the question, the study concentrates on the evaluation of the structural, aesthetic, and thematic properties of the Mogao murals that might have influenced the formation of the Greek Revival architectural style in the 18th and 19th centuries. Employing methods derived from the various disciplines, the research started with the identification of the crucial examples of the murals in Mogao Cave, for examples, the “Flying Sky” and “Xuanzang Westbound,” and the Greek Revivial building such as the British Museum, and the Constantinople Cultural Centre. Using Panasonic 3D scanner E2022, detailed images of the murals are taken; the structural analysis is performed by SolidWorks 2006. To complement this analysis, statistical comparisons are made using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS ver. 17). 0 for geometrical perspective, colour combination and line placement. Overall, the analysis shows a strong resemblance between the element of construction, coloration, and distinctive line in the Mogao murals and the Greek Revival styles. More particularly, the research establishes that while adopting the premise of symmetry, geometric figures and integrating colours in balance as attributes of the Greek revival architecture, the architecture reflects visual and structural dependency on the Mogao Cave murals. This research adds another piece to the puzzle of studying cultural exchanges along the Silk Road and can be considered as offering new insights into the Chinese art that played a major role in shaping European architecture. The research findings may prove useful to scholars and practitioners concerned with cross-cultural impact on art and building design.