On ZHANG Daqian’s Aesthetic Re-creation of Water-Moon Avalokitesvara in Cave 2 of the Yulin Caves

ZHANG Daqian offered a creative reinterpretation of Water-Moon Avalokitesvara, depicted on the south side of the west wall of Cave 2 of the Yulin Cave. This artistic reimagining infused the ancient murals with profound new humanistic resonances. Such a visual shift contrasts sharply with the original creative philosophy of the painters from Western Xia Dynasty, which was fundamentally rooted in religious redemption. Considering the historical isomorphism between the two eras, ZHANG’s copying practice reflected a deeper contemplation. It centered on translating an inner yearning for peace into concrete artistic expression within a historical context marked by intertwined China’s crisis in 1940s and cultural salvation. Consequently, he fostered social cohesion through art within the broader socio-cultural landscape.