Shitaos Drunk in Autumn Woods - Essay Example

Visual Analysis: Shitao’s “Drunk in Autumn Woods” By al Affiliation> September 14, The painting entitled “Drunk in Autumn Woods” created by Shitao (Zhu Ruoji) during the time period 1702 was made from a hanging scroll with ink and color on paper as the medium (Shitao 1702). From brief historical overview of the painting and from reported inscriptions in the painting, the art work was deemed to have been inspired by one of the painter’s friends who allegedly asked him to paint the picture with the indicated theme.

Viewers are provided the discretion by the painter to interpret a meaningful story from what is perceived to be happening in the painting. The current discourse hereby aims to present a visual analysis of Shitao’s work through a more in-depth evaluation of the artistic elements used: color and hues, distance, and images. At first glance, viewers would initially focus on the aesthetic value of the painting on a generalized manner. From afar, the objects that could immediately be seen are the immense landscape replete with different kinds of trees as well as a mountainous region at the farthest upper most point of the background, just below the Chinese inscriptions.

The very light shade and hues depict the position of the object as farthest from the viewers’ perspectives. Just below the mountain ranges, as viewers get to appreciate the details, trees in horizontal position are seen in an array of colors: shades of gray, intermittent black, shades of orange-rust-tan and very light shade of dirty white as the predominant background. Another set of trees, also in horizontal position are depicted in nearer perspective. The focal point of these set of trees is the black thinly leaved tree at the middle and varied shrub-like plants surrounding it, also in shades of gray.

The predominance of gray appropriately depicts autumn, just when trees are about to shed their leaves in preparation for winter. Concurrently, trees at the center of the painting are denser in darker hues of gray and black. These trees have shades of orange and rust in their leaves. It is at this focal point where viewers get the chance to observe that there are people (friends) in three sets of settings amidst the conglomerate of autumn trees. At the left and middle portions, there are two sets of friends in groups of three which could be interpreted as drinking and sharing stories.

They are seated on the grass and garbed in traditional Chinese robes. In addition, also at the mid-section, there are also friends seen to be walking where two friends are side by side and one is situated at the back just beneath a tall tree. Likewise, at the right side, on the banks of a river and sitting on a small boat is another person. These friends could be analyzed as on their way to a destination beyond the small bridge. In addition, just perpendicular to the bridge, two friends on horseback are seen riding.

Finally, at the left lower portion of the painting, there are people seated on the porch of a house, apparently waiting. More trees are shown in the lower portion of the painting sharing similar shades of gray some with orange leaves. The painting could be interpreted as a venue where friends share memorable moments through sharing stories and a drink under the autumn trees. Other people are travellers on a journey who seem to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the environment. The positioning of images in strategically selected positions enhanced balance and harmony in the painting.

Likewise, effective application of shading and color enhanced the accuracy of the distance and space perception to exemplify reality of view. Overall, the painting was effective in depicting the title of the work through the appropriate application of selected artistic elements. Reference Shitao, Zhu Ruoji. Drunk in Autumn Woods. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.