Semantic cues modulate brain activity in different Dunhuang narrative murals appreciation: an fNIRS study

Abstract Dunhuang murals are an important part of China’s cultural heritage. Due to the influence of painting space and painting techniques, they have given rise to various narrative structures. The impact of different narrative structures on viewers’ aesthetic experience still lacks empirical exploration. This study used fNIRS to investigate the influence of semantic cues and narrative structure on aesthetic judgment of Dunhuang narrative paintings. The results showed that compared to other narrative types, participants rated serial paintings higher in both aesthetic comprehension and liking. Semantic cues significantly improved comprehension ratings for both serial and multi-segment narrative paintings. The results of fNIRS revealed that serial narratives significantly activated the frontopolar areas, while multi-segment narratives notably activated the premotor cortex. Compared to the uncued condition, the presence of semantic cues significantly activated the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, frontopolar areas, premotor cortex, and frontal eye fields. Results revealed that participants rated serial murals higher in both understanding and liking. Semantic cues selectively improved understanding depending on mural type but did not affect liking, and exploratory fNIRS results showed cuing- and mural-related modulations in prefrontal/premotor channels that should be interpreted cautiously.