@arthurhuang
Cultural background profoundly shapes how we interpret paintings. It influences:Recognition of symbols and motifs (e.g. lotus = purity in East Asia, but not necessarily in the West)
Understanding of historical & religious context
Emotional associations and aesthetic preferences
Color symbolism (white = mourning in East Asia, purity in Western tradition)
Narrative expectations and storytelling conventions
A Renaissance crucifixion scene may evoke deep religious devotion for a Christian viewer, while appearing primarily as a dramatic historical composition to someone from a non-Christian background. Similarly, abstract ink wash landscapes may feel meditative and philosophical to those familiar with Daoist/Buddhist aesthetics, but merely decorative to others.Without shared cultural references, much of a painting’s intended meaning, emotional depth, and nuance can remain inaccessible or misinterpreted.https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/j.ctt1n7zkgk
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