This is the definitive account of the ground-breaking conservation project to conserve the cave paintings of the Mogao Grottoes in China. The Mogao Grottoes, a World Heritage Site in northwestern China, are located along the ancient caravan routes, collectively known as the Silk Road, that once linked China with the West. Founded by a Buddhist monk in the late fourth century, Mogao flourished over the following millennium, as monks, local rulers, and travellers commissioned hundreds of cave temples cut into a mile-long rock cliff and adorned them with vibrant murals. More than 490 decorated grottoes remain, containing thousands of sculptures and some 45,000 square metres of wall paintings, making Mogao one of the world's most significant sites of Buddhist art. In 1997 the Getty Conservation Institute, which had been working with the Dunhuang Academy since 1989, began a case study using the Late-Tang dynasty Cave 85 to develop a methodology that would stabilize the deteriorating wall paintings. This abundantly illustrated volume is the definitive report on the project, which was completed in 2010.

About the Author
Lori Wong is a wall painting conservator and project specialist at the Getty Conservation Institute. Neville Agnew retired in 2022 from his role as principal project specialist at the Getty Conservation Institute.


Book Information
ISBN 9781606061572
Author . Wong
Format Paperback
Page Count 458
Imprint Getty Publications
Publisher Getty Trust Publications
Weight(grams) 1754g
Dimensions(mm) 290mm * 212mm * 27mm