Dunhuang is located in the west side of the Hexi Corridor in Gansu Province, China. Beginning from ancient times, it has been the main hub of the Silk Road and an important military post. The Han dynasty paid great attention to the northwest, during which Emperor Wu of Western Han instituted Dunhuang in the Hexi Corridor, and Dunhuang County is one of the four Hexi Counties. The rise of Oriental and Occidental cultural exchanges, as well as Buddhist culture and art, prompted the creation of Dunhuang art. These arts were not only influenced by historically traditional cultures, the expansion of Buddhism in the Dunhuang area, and religious activities, but also closely related to social and cultural factors. Starting from the historical backgrounds and geographic location of Dunhuang, the thesis dives into the origin and process of Buddhist art development in the grottoes of Dunhuang, further exploring the styles of grotto art and the types of murals. The visits, precise copies, and research by artists inspired the establishment of the Dunhuang Academy, as researchers delve into documents relating to “Dunhuangology.” The thesis also introduces Dunhuang art and its influences on 20th century artists, including Li Ding-Long, Zhang Da-Qian, Chang Shu-Hong, and Wang Zhi-Yun as examples. Through understanding the contributions and the developmental achievements of modern artists in Buddhist art through the grottoes of Dunhuang, then exploring the research achievements and contributions of artists and scientists regarding the Mogao Grottoes, the thesis examines their work in the preservation of Dunhuang artifacts and the mission in historical development, finally providing conclusions and suggestions with the analysis of positive and negative arguments.
