Song Dynasty Gate Structure and Its Typology Reflected in the Paintings of Chinese Artists of 10th-13th Centuries

摘要

In Chinese architecture, gate structures have always served as an indicator of the status of the owner and the rank of the entire complex. Unfortunately, since the time of the Song Dynasty very few gates have been preserved up to the present day, and mostly they belong to the monastery gates. However, Song dynasty paintings and frescoes show a well-developed typology of the gates and diversity in form. Besides different constructive and decorative elements, used in the Song dynasty gates structures are presented in detail in Song paintings. The analysis of the depiction of the entrance buildings on the scrolls and the frescoes of the 10th - 13th centuries allows us to expand existing understanding about the typology, constructions and decoration of the gates of that period.