The Ning Mao Stone Carvings

The Ning Mao Stone Carvings, preserved in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, date back to 529 AD. They were created by Ning Mao, an official of the Northern Wei dynasty known for his work on palaces and temples in Luoyang. As a skilled royal architect, the carvings in his own tomb showcase exceptional craftsmanship. The shrine's portraits primarily depict stories of filial piety, a timeless theme in ancient Chinese painting. Each stone slab forms a harmonious and intricate pictorial space, divided by curtains, walls, and corridors.

Northern Wei (386-535) Stone Carving. 70cm*55cm. Carving on shrine of Ning Mao in Luoyang, Henan Province. Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA.

This piece is compiled from the Chinese edition of Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting by Foreign Languages Press and Yale University Press, translated by Chen Ying.