The Embodiment of Guiyijun's Early Politics in the Cave—Centered on the Donor Portraits of Cave 156 of Mogao Grottoes

Donor portraits in Cave 156 of the Mogao Grottoes reveal Zhang Yichao's strategic political maneuvering during the early years of the Guiyi Jun regime. By analyzing patron identities and portrait arrangements, researchers decoded a complex web of alliances and challenges faced by Zhang, shedding light on medieval Dunhuang's political landscape. The study highlights how grotto construction served as a tool for political expression, offering insights into the interplay between patronage, power, and cultural representation in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

(Ed.). (2023). The Embodiment of Guiyijun’s Early Politics in the Cave—Centered on the Donor Portraits of Cave 156 of Mogao Grottoes. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, 6(9). https://doi.org/10.25236/ajhss.2023.060902