The Use of Blue in the Ajanta Paintings

The use of lapis lazuli, a rare and expensive blue pigment, emerged distinctly in the Ajanta Caves' wall paintings by the 5th century CE. Initially absent in 1st-century BCE artworks, its application varied significantly: sparse in central caves (XVI and XVII) but more abundant in peripheral ones (I, II, and XXVI). This shift is linked to historical factors such as trade routes and political changes, offering insights into the cultural and economic dynamics of ancient India. The study analyzed pigment distribution and contextualized it within broader historical narratives.

Tortorici, M. (2025). The Use of Blue in the Ajanta Paintings. Acta Asiatica Varsoviensia, 38(2025), 237–272. https://doi.org/10.60018/acasva.ptir8584