Cambodia pagoda painting

Wat (pagoda) painting

Cambodian wats serve as religious educational and social centres in Cambodia. There are estimated to be approximately 1,600 wats in the country, including at least 30 major complexes.

The war destroyed many wats, and only a limited number of ancient mural paintings remain in Cambodia. Photographs of Cambodian wat murals from the 19th century were taken by two art historians, Guy and Jacqueline Nafilyan in the 1960s, depicting originals which no longer exist. They include scenes of tus cheadok (the 10 lives of the Buddha), and the Reamker (Ramayana) at Wat Kompong Tralach Krom and Wat Chadotes in Kompong Chhnang, both of which have since been destroyed.

The wats have experienced a revival over the past 10 years, with new structures rising and new murals being commissioned. The old murals that remain are a beautiful and important expression of Khmer cultural heritage, more refined and richly detailed than the modern versions.

The best-known wat murals that can still be seen today are those at the Silver Pagoda in the grounds of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Wat Rajabo in Siem Reap province, and Wat Kompong Tralach Leu in Kompong Chhnang Province. All are in a fragile state, but still display the rich colours obtained from the natural pigments used. Restoration work is urgently needed.