Buddhist Influence
During the Five Dynasties period, between the fall of the Tang and the beginning of the Song Dynasties (960c.e.), conditions of political and military decline greatly affected Chinese artwork. Many artists began associating much of their artwork to scenic and monumental images in nature. Guo Xi, acclaimed one of the greatest Chinese artists of this style, demonstrated these scenic and monumental images in his hanging scroll painting of Early Spring. Xi's use of mist, trees, valleys, waterfalls and depth of an overwhelming mountain, which encompasses the piece, is greatly discussed in many of his writings. These historical writings set the framework for much of Xi's scenic images. Although Xi's images can only be seen through the creativity of his artwork, his writings explain the methods of creating these lifelike scenes. Some of Xi's most important methods of creating lifelike pieces are the visual effect of his paintings, which is eminent in his writings on atmosphere and spatial recession. Xi explains three t
Many of the realistic qualities and features hanging scrolls provide can only be made through the artist. Xi goes into more detail on this matter in his writings on Significance of Landscape and Creativity. Hanging scrolls are quite different from the physical world since the scrolls are only produced through the work of the artist. Xi states, "Immortals and sages in mists and vapors are what human nature constantly longs for and yet is unable to see...without leaving your room you may sit to your heart's content among streams and valleys." Only the creativity of the artist can give the viewer this sense of realistic landscape. The artist must put forth full attention and spirit when working on a hanging scroll. He must use all the aspects of nature - forests, streams, mists, rocks, buildings, humans, and valleys - in order to awaken the senses. The lack of any of these factors gives a sense of inadequacy. The artist must be on guard at all times as though facing an enemy. When complete and these factors fulfilled, the viewer can enjo
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Approximate Word count = 707
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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