Spatial Dunhuang

"In Spatial Dunhuang, the temporal and spatial lines have been so well organized that it is still accessible to those unfamiliar with Dunhuang and/or Chinese art despite the fact that more than 20 caves are discussed in considerable detail. For specialists, some of the issues raised in this book may stimulate further academic studies such as the interrelationship between ideas of the afterlife and rituals in Dunhuang with the religious practices at Mogao. At the same time, nearby cave sites such as the Yulin Caves and the Western Caves of a Thousand Buddhas can be taken into consideration in a bigger spatial picture."

"With a seamless blend of insights from religion, art history, literature, and archaeology, Wu Hung’s latest contribution, Spatial Dunhuang: Experiencing the Mogao Caves, stands as a pioneering scholarly endeavor. . . Overall, this richly illustrated book transforms the foundational approach of Dunhuang studies by pivoting toward the significance of space within the Mogao Caves. It caters not only to academic audiences but also to broader readerships."

"A highly original and refreshing work. This book is going to be a go-to volume for readers curious about the Mogao Caves as a local community effort."

"A major concern of contemporary scholars is the lack of a book that can tell an interesting story about the history of the art of Mogao. Wu Hung writes one that is easy to read and at the same time offers an intellectual framework to approach the subject at both macro and micro levels."

"The holy lanterns, when lit, look like a suspended river of stars." Wu Hung brings the Dunhuang Buddhist shrines vividly to life in extraordinary historical, literary, archaeological and iconographic detail, solving complex questions with clarity and precision."

"Reading this magnificently illustrated book by the world's foremost scholar of Chinese art is like touring Dunhuang with an immensely learned and creative guide offering fresh insights at every step."