Image of Before-and-After Restoration of the Medicine Buddha Mural, Mogao Cave 220
Dublin Core
Title
Image of Before-and-After Restoration of the Medicine Buddha Mural, Mogao Cave 220
Subject
Mural Restoration
Color Degradation
Photographic Documentation
Conservation History
Description
This image presents the comparison of the Medicine Buddha Transformation Sutra Mural in Mogao Cave 220 before and after restoration. The black-and-white photo (top) was taken by Luo, Jimei, a Chinese cultural photographer who documented the mural prior to significant pigment degradation and damage. The color photo (bottom) shows the same mural after restoration by the Dunhuang Academy. Together, they highlight the visual impact of aging and the effectiveness of conservation efforts. This object illustrates the importance of photographic documentation and restoration in preserving fragile cultural heritage.
Creator
Luo, Jimei (original photograph, top); Dunhuang Academy (post-restoration image, bottom)
Source
Dunhuang Academy. (2020). Shengliang Zhao | Jimei Luo The significance of photographing the Dunhuang Grottoes https://www.dha.ac.cn/info/1019/1546.htm
Publisher
Dunhuang Academy
Date
The black-and-white photo: 1940s (estimate); The color photo: unknown
Rights
Image used under educational fair use
Format
JPEG
Language
Not applicable
Type
Still Image
Coverage
Mogao Cave 220, Dunhuang, China
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Photographic comparison
Collection
Citation
Luo, Jimei (original photograph, top); Dunhuang Academy (post-restoration image, bottom), “Image of Before-and-After Restoration of the Medicine Buddha Mural, Mogao Cave 220,” Omeka, accessed February 5, 2026, https://omeka.ischool.utoronto.ca/items/show/406.