Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c4.s2.35

v1.c4.s2.35

Buddhism introduced new subjects and skills to Chinese painting. From the 3ʳᵈ to 6ᵗʰ centuries CE, there were a number of painters who were good at painting Buddhist pictures. For instance, Cao Buxing (3ʳᵈ century CE), a native of Wuxing (now Huzhou of Zhejiang Province), under the influence of Indian sculpture, drew vivid folds on the clothes of human figures, that came to be known as ‘coming alive’. Dai Kui (326～396 CE), a native of Suxian of Anhui, drew many figures of Buddha and carved a 60 feet tall wooden Amitabha. Gu Kaizhi (about 345～406 CE), a native of Wuxi, caused a great sensation by his painting of Vimalakirti on the wall of Waguan Temple in Nanjing. Zhang Sengyao (about mid-5ᵗʰ century CE～mid-6ᵗʰ century CE), a native of Suzhou, was good at painting Buddhist figures. He often went to temples to paint murals. He once produced a painting on the door of a temple, which, from the distance, appeared to be in relief, while from nearby it appeared smooth and even. This skill was introduced from India.