Pigment Analysis and Colour Application for Dunhuang Murals

10.6911/WSRJ.202206_8(6).0095

Jingyi Chen；Yikai Yang；Xiaoqing Zeng

Dunhuang ； frescoes ； Mineral pigments ； Art ； Chemistry

World Scientific Research Journal

8卷6期（2022 / 06 / 01）

736 - 740

英文

Dunhuang frescoes and sculptures have been painted and shaped for over a thousand years, using pigments such as extracted natural mineral pigments, vegetable pigments, and early synthetic pigments, and the frescoes and sculptures we see today are the result of natural oxidation and discolouration over thousands of years. In order to better explore why Dunhuang fresco pigments are lost or preserved, and to better pass on Dunhuang's material cultural heritage, this paper analyses the main pigment components (black, white, red and cyan) of Dunhuang painted sculptures and frescoes, and after reviewing a wide range of literature and other sources to understand the current state of preservation and to sort out and summarise the influencing factors (acidity, humidity, pigment materials, natural disasters and historical human damage). A detailed understanding of the composition of each pigment, and the conceptualisation of improvements to recreate and re‐design and re‐apply the pigments in relation to their modern application. Further ideas for new applications of pigments to promote the dissemination of Dunhuang culture and the development of art and design.