Materials
and Techniques of Ancient Wall Paintings of Sri Lanka/O.P. Agrawal and Nanda
Amara Wickramasinghe. New Delhi, Sundeep Prakashan, 2002, viii, 175 p.,
figs., tables, $77. ISBN 81-7574-128-7.
Materials
and Techniques of Ancient Wall Paintings of Sri Lanka/O.P. Agrawal and Nanda
Amara Wickramasinghe. New Delhi, Sundeep Prakashan, 2002, viii, 175 p.,
figs., tables, $77. ISBN 81-7574-128-7.
Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. History of the paintings. 3. Techniques of painting. 4. Materials and techniques: I. Sigiriya main cave. II. Sigiriya Asana Guhava. III. Vessagiriya. IV. Situlpahuwa. V. Mihintale relic chamber. VI. Pulligoda. VII. Mahiyangana relic chamber. VIII. Tivanka image house. IX. Degaldoruwa Rajamaha Vihara. X. Hindagala Rajamaha Vihara. XI. Bambaragala Rajamaha Vihara. XII. Suriyagoda Rajamaha Vihara. XIII. Ridi Vihara. XIV. Dambulla Rajamaha Vihara (cave no. 2). XV. Kelani Rajamaha Vihara. XVI. Ambulugala Vihara. XVII. Telwatta Purana Vihara. XVIII. Samudragiri Vihara. XIX. Mulgirigala Rajamaha Vihara. XX. Valalgoda Rajamaha Vihara. 5. Conclusion. Appendix – methodology of analysis. Bibliography. Index.
"Sri Lanka has a rich and long tradition of wall paintings, starting from prehistoric times, transversing the historical period up to the present day. The wall paintings in Sri Lanka are found in monastries, temples, palaces and residences. The historic context of the Sri Lankan paintings has been studied in great detail by several authors, but little was known about the materials and techniques of execution of these important works of art. The present book is an attempt to collect and present all the known information on this vast subject. Our own researches formed the basis for this information.
"The book first of all gives an account of construction of the paintings and thereafter describes the known techniques of paintings as found in the world. In one chapter the materials and techniques of wall paintings in different sites like Sigiriya, Anuradhapur, Polonaruwa, Dambulla and other places are described. The last chapter summarizes the materials and techniques of wall paintings all over Sri Lanka and sums up the situation as at the present moment. Scientific techniques useful for analysis of wall paintings are given in appendix." (jacket)