An exhibition on replicated frescos of the world-famous Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, opened Saturday, December 2, in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Using paints similar to the original ones, Chinese artist, Yang Dongmiao and his colleagues spent 14 years replicating 286 mural pictures, including eight large ones. Yang's works are being shown at the exhibition.

To restore the grotto frescoes, plagued by mold and cracks, Chinese archaeologists and foreign experts have been analyzing fresco paints.

Located at the west end of the Hexi Corridor in Gansu Province, Dunhuang was once an important cultural and trade city along the Silk Road, linking China with central Asia.

Visitors are mainly attracted to Dunhuang because it contains some of the most priceless examples of Buddhist art in the world.

However, many of the frescos have been destroyed by earthquakes, natural collapse and erosion from the rain, wind and sand.

Experts say that it is an extremely difficult task to replicate the frescos of the Mogao Grottoes. It usually takes about three months to draw a picture covering 1.2 square meters.

Visitors can appreciate the art of Dunhuang at the exhibition of replicated frescos without causing damage to the original paintings, said organizers of the show.

(People’s Daily 12/02/2000)