Wang M. Donators’ Cicle in the Murals of the Temple Complex of the Dunhuang Caves: Typology, Composition, Iconography, Stylistics

This research work focuses on the features of the system of donator’s rank in the murals of Buddhist temple complex of caves in Dunhuang during the whole time of its existence. The issues of historical and cultural context, typology, composition, iconographic canon and stylistic characteristics of donator’s portraits as a separate cycle and genre of fresco painting associated with the Chinese artistic tradition are brought to light. The thesis considers the place and role of donator’s portraits in the system of fresco paintings of Dunhuang Caves, the issues of individualization and personification of images of historical figures were investigated; the compositional methods of arranging portraits of donors in the general structure of paintings of Dunhuang Grottoes were caught out and the changes in the representation of this plot during the whole period of Dunhuang's existence were found out; the stages of development, iconography, formal and stylistic principles of donator’s portraits as a separate cycle and genre were determined; a comprehensive systematization of disparate material on the reflection of the donator’s rank in the paintings of Dunhuang was made; the research of the social type of protectors was expanded and the dependence of the scale of the portrait on the social position of the patron was demonstrated; the consideration of national, ethnic and cultural features in the representation of this cycle of secular figures was сarried out.