The Other in the Buddhist Niche: The Formation and Disappearance of the Female Image in the Longmen Grotto Temples

Chinese Buddhist cave art, particularly at the Longmen Grottoes, employs visual and spatial strategies that simultaneously represent and marginalize female figures. Women, often depicted as donor figures, are placed peripherally with reduced scale and stereotypical features, reflecting hierarchical social structures and patriarchal norms while subtly erasing their agency. This study decodes these mechanisms using feminist critique and image analysis, revealing how women navigate and construct spaces of spiritual subjectivity within traditional religious frameworks. By applying the theory of alterity to Buddhist visual language, it offers a nuanced Chinese perspective on gender dynamics in non-Western art, contributing to broader discussions on gender equality and religious diversity.

Liu, T. (2025). The Other in the Buddhist Niche: The Formation and Disappearance of the Female Image in the Longmen Grotto Temples. Культура И Искусство, (4), 26–43. https://doi.org/10.7256/2454-0625.2025.4.74217