Who painted Three Heads (fragment of a wall painting)?

Three Heads (fragment of a wall painting) was painted by Unknown in 550.

Where can I see Three Heads (fragment of a wall painting)?

Three Heads (fragment of a wall painting) is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Three Heads (fragment of a wall painting)

Three Heads (fragment of a wall painting) is a paint painting by Unknown. It dates from 550 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Three Heads is a fragment of a 6th-century wall painting from the Kizil Grottoes, a significant Buddhist site on the northern Silk Route.

About this work

This painting shows three heads, a fragment of a wall painting from the 6th century.
It's interesting because it comes from the Kizil Grottoes, which was an important Buddhist center. The site had many rock-cut caves with rich paintings, and this fragment gives us a glimpse of that tradition.
You can learn more about similar art at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

Three Heads is a fragment of a 6th-century wall painting from the Kizil Grottoes, a significant Buddhist site on the northern Silk Route.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts three heads, likely part of a larger Buddhist narrative scene, reflecting the rich tradition of Central Asian Buddhist art.

History & Provenance

The Kizil Grottoes, comprising 236 rock-cut caves, were excavated by German archaeologists in the early 1900s, who removed many paintings, including this fragment, to Berlin, where some were later destroyed during World War II.

Context

The Kizil Grottoes were a major stop for pilgrim monks traveling to India, and the site's paintings demonstrate the cultural exchange along the Silk Route.