The Study of Mural Painting in Royal Temple of Upper Northern Thailand

Abstract

  This research entitled "The Study of Mural Painting in Royal Temple of Upper Northern Thailand" aimed to collect all Mural Painting in the Royal Temple of Upper Northern Thailand and analyzing its contents or stories alongside with the techniques' investigation related to the construction and composition of the mural paintings. Through the research study, it was revealed that the related mural paintings appeared within the royal temples of Upper Northern Thailand might be originated in order to support and present local people's faith and belief in Buddhism which could be noticed through the use of concept related to Buddhist doctrines. In addition, there was the discovered information related to the traditional Thai art form paralleled with Thai contemporary art using fresco technique alongside with oil and acrylic paints. Through the exploration of Lanna mural painting within Royal temples of Upper Northern territory, the finding was illustrated that the visual elements, lines and shapes and forms had played the significant roles in painting as the creation of organic forms representing the interesting focal point. In addition, the balance and the harmony in the principles of design in art could be seen alongside with the use of the contrasted color tones, and the constructive color tones with the free-willing and the pure intention. The finding was highlighted that the color applying principles could be divided into 2 characters included the Polychromatic and the Tri-chromatic (Red, Yellow or gold, and Blue). Furthermore, there were the disclosures that the Lanna painting identity could be noticed and reflected its development from time to time which in other words, the painting was contemporarily changed through the use of the merging of centered Thai art style and Local Lanna style. Not only it could be seen the influences of official centered Thai art style; but also the Chinese art, Myanmar, and western art style had played the crucial roles in the development of Lanna mural painting.