Miraculous Amalgams
The In Khong Style Murals of the Fourth Reign (1851‒1868)
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6157463 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Paul Lewis Mcbain (0000-0002-1526-5373, corresponding author), Paul Mcbain |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 113 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 53-76 |
| Publication date | 2025-05-05 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of the Siam Society (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0304-226X • E-ISSN: 2651-1851 |
| Publisher | The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.69486/113.1.2025.4 |
| OpenAlex | W4410070299 |
| Language | EN |
In mid-19th century Bangkok, Siamese temple mural art saw the rise of the innovative “In Khong style”, characterized by three-dimensional landscapes and European-style buildings, departing from relatively two-dimensional Buddhist narratives. Proliferating during the Fourth Reign (Rama IV, 1851‒1868), this style extended beyond Khrua In Khong’s documented works. This article argues that the In Khong style was a modern art form unique to Siam, shaped by the development of a class of hired craftsmen inspired by imported wallpaper and prints. Reflecting Siam’s age of wonder and fascination with the West, these murals expressed a reimagined world through fantastical landscapes and structures, rather than merely imitating European forms and techniques
Ancient history · Archaeology · Political science · Reign · Style (visual arts · Chinese history and philosophy · History · Law
| Highly cited | No |
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