An Analysis Of The Artistic Characteristics Of Shi Jingang In Nanpi County

There are two statues of Shi Jingang(the statue of Buddha’s warrior attendat carved in stone), which are carved out of a monolithic bluestone and are located in Nanpi County, Cangzhou City, Hebei Province. By virtue of its elaborate carving and magnificent momentum, Shi Jingang is hailed as great art treasure in the field of ancient sculpture and is awarded "the Major Cultural Relic Under Special Protection" by Hebei Province. At the same time, it provides us with a great number of important materials to research stone carvings of various dynasties. Therefore, this research is not only valuable and worthwhile, but also has a great significance in the study of rejuvenating ancient sculpture. Some experts define Shi Jingang as the work of Tang dynasty, which has triggered an extensive debate in society. As far as this study is concerned, more attentions are paid to Shi Jingang’s artistic characteristics rather than its development age. Based on mausoleums of the Tang, Song and Ming Dynasty, this study analyzes the relationship between sculpture、Shijingang and Buddhist art. Moreover, the study devotes itself to demonstrate that Shi Jingang actually belongs to Ming Dynasty by virtue of its age characteristics including armor, helmet, dragon design, decoration and other features. As the product of religion, Shi Jingang is viewed as the Buddhist protector gods— Un & Ah two great generals. With the help of its artistic characteristics, this study approves Shi Jingang’s main roles and functions, which reflect Chinese nation’s demand for aesthetic appreciation in the aspect of stone carving. By this token, Shi Jingang fully manifests the aesthetic value of that era in terms of its sculpt and design, which may be delicate or imperatorial, mature or exaggerated. The Shi Jingang of Nanpi County is preserved so well that it becomes one of the most representative models of stone-carving art. It’s the plain and unadorned stone carvings that shaped Shi Jingang’s inner beauty and presents human with a new visual sensation. Therefore, Shi Jingang is endowed with some features only belonging to itself. All in all, this study aims at investigating Shi Jingang’s artistic fascination from the aspect of its external manifestation.