Phoenix and Polowina
...ed to illuminate the shape and texture of the detailed birds and vegetation. I also noticed that this painting has a virtually no value at all. The only value I noticed is within the space that serves as a background for the objects in the forefront. The value is only evident by the haziness or the fog that is in the spaces which also helps give the piece depth. It is mainly through texture that this piece delineates details and shows distinct positive and negative shapes. The overriding principle used in this painting as I saw it was balance. The color and space are the defining elements that create this visual symmetric balance between the two half’s. Despite there being one phoenix on the left side and two on the right, the coloring of the surrounding vegetation maintains an equal weight for each side. This symmetrical balance also creates a powerful unity in the piece, which in spite of the space created by the ocean in the middle brings the two half’s together. Although there is a powerful sense of unity throughout this painting I don’t get the feeling of rhythm with it mainly because there is no repetition in shape to create such a feeling. The lack of rhythm in this artwork is replaced entirely by the sense of harmony created. It is such a serine landscape that seems to exude this tranquility to anyone who looks at it. The harmony is also accentuated by the lack of contrast in this painting. Every thing including the emphasized phoenixes with their brightly colored plumage seems to fit in to the landscape portrayed by Kano Tanshin without the slightest bit of clashing subject matter. The use of vivid color that emphasizes the phoenixes definitely points out the importance of them to the landscape but it is done in such a way that it still appears natural. The composition of this piece is very hard to determine because it has no center of attention. A frame composition is the only thing that applies to this art piece in which the background space serves as a frame for the phoenixes and trees that take up the forefront. Another reason I choose this piece of artwork was the legend and beliefs that surround its subject matter of the panel. I researched a little and found that the phoenix was a very important symbol in both Japanese and Chinese culture. According to Japanese beliefs the phoenix only descends to earth from heaven or a higher plain when kingdoms are under just and compassionate leadership. For that reason I think that this piece was probably made for one of two people. One could have been in commemoration of an important and influential leader like one of the Tokugawa Shoguns who ruled Japan during the 18th century. This piece of art could also have been created for Kano Tanshin’s father who presided over a very powerful and influential school in the metropolis of Edo, which during the 18th century was considered the center point of Japanese power and culture. The caption below the exhibit describes that the message most likely being conveyed by the piece is a political one. The caption also explains that this panel served as a backdrop in a palatial hall. Because of the fact that this panel conveyed a political message and was placed in a lavish Japanese palace I think that it was most likely in commemoration of one of the Tokugawa Shoguns who ruled Japan. Other than the political message conveyed with the phoenixes in the ink painting I think there was other meanings hidden in its panels. When I look at the ocean that divides the phoenixes I think of the Sea of Japan, which divides Japan and China. This ocean...