A Brief Analysis of Blank Space in Ancient Chinese Hand-scroll Paintings from the Perspective of Reception Aesthetics

Abstract

Reception aesthetics emphasizes the comprehensive role of multiple functions of works. For ancient Chinese hand-scroll paintings, blank space in the picture also reflects such an aesthetic principle. Blank space not only has a specific aesthetic image in the picture, but also is a summoning structure when appreciating the picture. This structure provides the viewer with the possibility of imagination and secondary creation. For this reason, ancient hand-scroll paintings not only need the beauty of blank space in the construction of the body of the painting, but also have similar structural functions in the mounting of hand-scroll paintings. This article conducts a relatively in-depth analysis.