Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s4.t2.37

v2.c11.s4.t2.37

the history of art in the world. Frescoes of Ajanta Caves in the early period are created about from the 1ˢᵗ century BCE to 200 CE, and are the world’s most ancient Buddhism painting relics, presenting an antique style, which can be represented by the 9th and 10th grottoes. Frescoes of Ajanta Caves in the late period are created around in 450-650 AD or later, with the style changing from classicism to mannerism and Baroque style, which can be represented by the 16ᵗʰ, 17ᵗʰ, 1ˢᵗ and 2ⁿᵈ grottoes. Themes of Ajanta frescoes cover Jataka, biography of Buddhas and separate the Buddha and Bodhisattva statue, where the master works include the fresco of the 16ᵗʰ grotto ‘*Nanda Becoming a Buddhist*’, the frescoes of the 17ᵗʰ grotto ‘*Xudana Biography*’, ‘*Indra and Goddess*’, ‘*Buddha Returning Home* and *Simhala Avadana*’, the fresco of the 2ⁿᵈ grotto ‘*Female Believer’s Sacrifice*’, the frescoes of the 1ˢᵗ grotto ‘*Bodhisattva Padmapani*’, ‘*Mahajanaka*’ and ‘*Subduing Demons*’. Painting techniques of Ajanta frescoes include animnonnata and nimnonnata. Nimnonnata is more used in the frescoes in the late period, and it is not only used in character, but also in animals, flowers, rocks, buildings, etc.