The Great Wall of China is an extremely significant item of art with exemplary features that would make any artist outstanding if he or she was able to fit extensive elements like color, shape, space and symbolism as show in the wall. One of the main artists who engaged in painting the wall is William Simpson who was from Scotland. Simpson was born in Glasgow in an extremely poor background. Simpson is an extremely unique artist of his time. He was born in 1823 and died in 1899 (Simpson, 2007).
Simpson went to school in Perth, where he undertook the formal education. After school, Simpson was employed in a lithographic firm. The first artistic work that Simpson was engaged in is where he was required to develop an image of the Alma that was based on various features that had to be involved in the image. The image was to be used in a lithography work by a London publisher. Simpson was also involved in the artwork for the development of images that represented Colnaghi images, and the fall of Sebastopol. The other image that was drawn by Simpson is the Bombardment of Bomarsund (Simpson, 2007). This is an indication that Simpson was an extremely famous and skilled artist.
One of the most distinctive features in any piece of art is color. It is exemplary in the development of an image. One of the major roles of color is to indicate the real representation of a given art work. The Great Wall of China is representation of this unique feature of color. The artist has considered different colors to represent different physical features that form the wall.
One of the colors that the artist considered in his work is beige. This is an extremely distinctive color that may be used to represent certain features in any artwork. However, the artist has used it to indicate the material used for construction. Beige is a color that may be formed through a mixture of brown and any bright color like white (Simpson, 2013). In this case, the artist has used to indicate the materials that were used to construct the wall. In most cases, walls are made of stones, which are kept intact through use of cement. The color represents the materials that were used in the construction which are stones and the cement.
The other color that the artist has chosen to employ in his work is green. However, his representation is extremely unique compared to any other use in of the color in artwork. It well known that green usually represents vegetation which is an outstanding feature in any artwork related to landscapes (Simpson, 2013). However, the artist considered using green color in a unique manner. He has painted the image without full cover of the green color on the land in which the wall has been built. The sectional painting of the image is an indication that the entire land was not covered with vegetation. There are portions that are brown on the ground. It is clear that soil is brown. Therefore, it was wise of the artist to choose brown color for the parts that were not covered with vegetation.
The other element that is extremely significant in painting is the use of space. Before, getting into the artwork it is advisable to estimate the space that the artist is likely to use. In this case, the image has distinctively used the space that is available for the painting. There are several elements that may make one evaluate and understand whether the space that was available was used accordingly. The artist of this image has considered using the space to the full.
The space has accommodated all features that would make one identify with the image as The Great Wall of China. The main distinctive feature of the image is the wall. The artist has been able to accommodate the wall in the space (Simpson, 2013). Being the main feature in the image, it should be clear to any person who would wish to have a look at the image. The artist has used a distinctive size of the space provided by incorporating the wall in a larger size than any other feature and making it visible compared to any other feature in the image.
Although, the space is small, the artist has managed to use the space accordingly to bring forth an outstanding image. He has managed to maintain main features such as the wall accordingly with them occupying a roughly large space as well as maintaining other features like human beings in an extremely small space. This is an indication of the expertise that the artist holds in his artwork.
Also, artwork is defined by use of lines in the drawing. Simpson has considered using lines to make sure that he followed the key elements of any piece of art. He uses curves which are forms of lines to make the image attractive. Curves have been used to represent various elements in the image. Some of the main features that have been represented by curves are mountains (Simpson, 2013). These represent horizons which indicate how extended the features are in the image. Curves are also used in the representation of the wall as an indication of the wall being curved according to its physical reality (Ya-Du, 1998). Therefore, lines have been used to show the real image in comparison to the real physical feature.
Any image is made attractive by the features that it contains. It is upon the artist to ensure that the features involved in the artwork are according to the real picture being portrayed. The artist in the Great Wall of China has considered various features, which he has ensured that they are present in the image. Al these features are representative of various elements in form of history, religion, and cultural practices of the region.
The wall which is the main feature in the image has been presented accordingly. The artist has considered various colors and elements that make the image distinctive to physical wall. Being the main feature, the wall has been presented in such a manner that anyone can tell about it from a look of the painting (Simpson, 2013). In most cases, walls are constructed to represent security or protection. The image has incorporated a large wall which is an indication that the construction of the wall would have been aimed at ensuring that the country is safe and no enemy could have entered to the China republic. Therefore, the wall may indicate the existence of war between Chinese and their neighbor, which led to the construction of a wall that would separate the country from adverse quarrels with neighbors.
The other distinctive feature in the image is the representation of mountains. The artist has ensured that the mountains’ image is clear and can be observed at any point (Simpson, 2013). In various images, mountains may represent unique elements in the society. In this case, mountains represent historical and cultural elements. For a long time, China was involved in war with its neighbors and it mainly took place in these mountains. Therefore, the representation of mountains in the image may be an indication of the historical wars that took place in the country in these mountains. It is also clear that Chinese believed that the gods existed in their mountains. Therefore, construction of the wall may have indicated protection of their gods.
The image also contains human images that seem to be involved in certain activities. There also camels carrying objects. The artist has been able to represent these images accordingly in the painting, making the painting more attractive (Simpson, 2013). The engagement of the people in the image in various activities is an indication that the China Republic has a historical background of business activities. The people are in groups indicating that the early society of China valued togetherness and cohesiveness at work (Ya-Du, 1998). The construction of the wall was on the basis of togetherness and voluntary.
The image shows that there were leaders in the community who ensured that all activities concerning the society were well governed. The artist draws a man on a higher ground and he seems to be commanding the individuals who were leading the camels. This is an indication that there should be respect for authority. This may be the definition of the early leadership in the country of China (Ya-Du, 1998).
Simpson being an outstanding artist with adverse skills and knowledge on artwork has managed to present an outstanding image of The Great Wall of China. He has matched various elements ranging from space, color, and lines. The artist has been keen to represent all features available in wall. All historical, social, and cultural elements have been presented in an extremely outstanding manner.
Works Cited
Simpson, William. " Google Image Result for http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/the-great-wall-of-china-anthony-caruso.jpg." Google. N.p., 12 Aug. 1987. Web. 13 May 2013.
Simpson, William . The Autobiography of William Simpson (Crimean Simpson). London: Simon & Schuster, 2007. Print.
Ya-Du, Zhao. "The Great Wall of China." Neurosurgery 42.5 (1998): 1186-1187. Print.
